It’s time for another edition of NHL rumours. We’ve just started the new year, but the rumours keep on coming. Teams are trying to make a push to get to the Stanley Cup Playoffs. However, this means some big moves may need to be made. Clubs have some tough decisions and might have to swing for the fences. This edition of NHL rumours deals with the Detroit Red Wings pursuing a young forward in the same division.
All NHL rumours come from the original source and are subject to change.
NHL Rumours
Detroit Red Wings Going After Young Forward
Rumour: On a recent edition of 32 Thoughts, Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman said that the Red Wings have their eyes on Buffalo Sabres forward Dylan Cozens.
Analysis: The Red Wings have gotten on a winning streak after the firing of Derek Lalonde. New head coach Todd McLellan has the team playing well and Detroit has taken the last five games in a row.
Many left the Red Wings for dead, but they are only two points off the second wild card spot in the Eastern Conference heading into Thursday night’s games. Detroit’s power play is third in the league and that makes them deadly if it keeps playing well.
It seems like a weight has been lifted off the team’s shoulders and they are playing well. Patrick Kane is playing like his old self and the Red Wings have inserted themselves back into the post-season conversation.
The Workhorse from Whitehorse
Detroit General Manager Steve Yzerman might be in a position to make some moves at the trade deadline. March 7 isn’t that far away and the Red Wings may have a chance to be a buyer at the deadline.
One player that Yzerman could target is Cozens, who is a part of the division rival Sabres roster. Buffalo is once again struggling at the bottom of the Eastern Conference. The Sabres and general manager Kevyn Adams might have to do some moves to retool the roster.
We’ve discussed Cozens being a possible trade piece in a previous edition of NHL rumours. The Sabres would probably want to keep him, but the offers may be too good to resist.
What It Means
The Sabres continued issues mean there could be some players available. Buffalo’s lingering issues could mean that they have to trade another young star. Cozens is 23 years old and he could slot into the second-line centre role behind Dylan Larkin.
According to the Daily Faceoff, the jury is still out on if Marco Kasper can be a second-line pivot. Prospect Nate Danielson is also pretty young and still needs time to develop. Detroit has plenty of prospects and draft capital that could be used to acquire Cozens.
One problem that’s facing the Red Wings in swinging this deal is salary cap space. Detroit has current cap space of nearly $6.7 million according to Puckpedia. Cozens currently makes $7.1 million, so Detroit would have to move out some salary in order to make a deal happen.
Some think Michael Rasmussen could be part of any deal because that would shed $3.2 million. However, he may only be a starting point of any trade.
Main photo by: Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images
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