Latest On Sabres' Cozens: 7 Teams Linked To Potential Trade

It is going to be an interesting couple of days watching how the Buffalo Sabres' situation with Dylan Cozens plays out. At this time, there are a lot of teams that are interested, but Buffalo could also end up keeping their young centerman.

One thing is for certain, the Sabres need a change and something to get them back into the playoffs after so many long years. If there is going to be a big trade, Cozens is likely attached. Reports have linked Cozens to the Vancouver Canucks, Calgary Flames, Chicago Blackhawks, Nashville Predators, Montreal Canadiens, Toronto Maple Leafs, and Detroit Red Wings. If he's traded, it won't be cheap.

The Canucks traded J.T. Miller fairly recently, and though the team got back Filip Chytil, there's still a lot of concern about Elias Pettersson. Whether he would be moved as part of the deal or the Canucks look to have three options down the middle and hope that works, this landing spot makes sense as change is needed.

The Flames are looking for younger centers than what they have. Cozens plays a physical game that could fit well in Calgary and help turn the retool into a success.

The Blackhawks need impact NHL players right now and need to surround Connor Bedard with some help. Whether Cozens would play second line center or on the wing of Bedard's line, the team has cap space and assets to move back in order to execute a deal.

The Predators are weak down the middle and that was a concern going back to the fallout of buying out Matt Duchene and trading Ryan Johansen. Ryan O'Reilly may only be on the team for another year and then the Predators would be in real trouble at center. They continue to draft wingers and Cozens would be surrounded by veteran scorers.

The Canadiens need a second line center. Nick Suzuki has proven he is a top line center, but with Kirby Dach's injury risk and Alex Newhook's questionable ability to be a top-6 player, Cozens would shore up that spot and add more grit up front. This team also has the assets to easily pull off a trade.

Do the Maple Leafs need a player like Cozens? Yes. But can they get him? Likely no. This is not only a longer commitment for another player, it would take away from contract discussions with Mitch Marner and John Tavares. It is hard to see.

As for the Red Wings, it makes sense. Andrew Copp is out for the season and J.T. Compher would be better served as a high-end third line center. As I mentioned with some of the other teams, Detroit would welcome the physicality Cozens brings. If Marco Kasper turns into a full-time second line center for the team, then there will be space in the top-6 for Cozens to impact the team from the wing.

For the Sabres' sake, they should hold onto Cozens, but for entertainment purposes, it is fun to hear where he might go and what might be the return from all of these teams.