NHLTR Mock Trade: Maple Leafs acquire Dylan Cozens from Buffalo Sabres

Our latest mock trade sees two divisional QEW highway rivals getting into business together, with the Toronto Maple Leafs and Buffalo Sabres completing a blockbuster deal. Sabres GM Kevyn Adams has been listening to trade offers on 24-year-old centre Dylan Cozens, and the Leafs are one of the teams who would be considered close to a perfect fit.

Maple Leafs GM Brad Treliving is trying hard to acquire a centre, and it's been reported he's doing whatever he can to land a 2C, that way he can push John Tavares down to the three hole entering the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

NHLTR Mock Trade: Sabres trade Dylan Cozens to Maple Leafs for Max Domi, Fraser Minten, Conor Timmins and a 2025 second-round pick.

Cozens slots in perfectly behind Auston Matthews as a right-handed centre, who loves to throw his 6-foot-3 frame around, and don't let the down season in Buffalo hinder his untapped potential. Cozens scored 31 goals as a 22-year-old and in a new lineup, with more talented teammates, and a better structure, could flourish as a Leaf.

Domi's modified no-trade clause could make this deal tricky, but a top-six role in Buffalo, and trying to beat the Leafs on a regular basis could be appealing. Minten is the piece for Adams, he's the Leafs' second best prospect and he has second-line centre potential. Timmins is a throw in to help alleviate Cozens $7.1 million AAV, meanwhile Adams would land some more draft capital with a low-end second rounder.

Who says no - Leafs or Sabres?