Sabres' Dylan Cozens Fined

Michael DeRosa Wednesday, February 16, 2022 Buffalo Sabres

NHL Player Safety has fined Buffalo Sabres forward Dylan Cozens $2,235.42 for his cross-check on New York Islanders forward Brock Nelson.

Buffalo Sabres forward Dylan Cozens fined $2,235.42 (maximum allowable under the CBA) for cross-checking #Isles forward Brock Nelson. #LetsGoBuffalo

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— NHL News (@PuckReportNHL) February 16, 2022

The play occurred during Tuesday night's game between the two teams. While Nelson was skating to the bench for a line change, Cozens followed him and delivered the dirty cross-check from behind. Naturally, the former had no reason to believe that this was coming and fell down a bit awkwardly in the process.

Truthfully, given the nature of the play, one could argue that Cozens should have gotten at least a one-game suspension for it. It was an entirely unnecessary play that was away from the puck and also a hit from behind.

Nevertheless, Cozens still has to pay the maximum fine, so he didn't technically get away with it fully. Do you feel that NHL Player Safety was too lenient on the 2019 seventh-overall pick? Let us know in the comments.

Photo Credit: © Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports