The Buffalo Sabres last secured a playoff berth during the 2010-11 season, and their persistent struggles at the bottom of the Eastern Conference standings have kept them in the spotlight concerning trade discussions. Dylan Cozens has frequently surfaced in media speculation related to the Sabres, currently ranking ninth on Moneyline's NHL trade block for January. The 23-year-old center's output has diminished since he reached a career-high 31 goals and 37 assists, totaling 68 points in the 2022-23 season, which earned him a seven-year contract at an annual value of $7.1 million. However, in the ongoing 2023-24 season, Cozens has regressed to 18 goals and 47 points over 79 games, and so far this season, he has achieved just nine goals and 21 points in 43 games.

On January 9, Lance Lysowski from The Buffalo News reported that the Sabres are not actively shopping Cozens, even though his name frequently surfaces in conversations with other NHL teams showing interest. Lysowski highlighted the need for the Sabres to reevaluate their approach to Cozens' development and formulate a strategy aimed at fostering his success. He expressed skepticism regarding the potential for the Sabres to receive equal value in a trade due to Cozens' declining production, suggesting that trading him could further deplete their depth at center. Nonetheless, the conjecture regarding a possible trade continues, prompting speculation about five potential destinations for Cozens if the Sabres opt to move him before the March 7 NHL trade deadline.

Reports indicate the Calgary Flames have been seeking a middle-six center. On October 17, Daily Faceoff's Frank Seravalli commented on the Flames' needs, and by November, RG.org's Jim Biringer noted that Flames general manager Craig Conroy had been in search of a center since trading Elias Lindholm to the Vancouver Canucks. An analysis by Kent Wilson from the Calgary Sun on December 31 explored whether Cozens would be a suitable addition for the Flames, weighing the potential benefits and drawbacks while acknowledging Cozens' regression and the Sabres' possible hesitations to part with him. Despite being viewed as an expensive acquisition in terms of contract and the Sabres' anticipated asking price, Cozens could revive his offensive contributions with a change of scenery and more experienced teammates. Notably, Cozens played junior hockey in Lethbridge, Alberta, making a return to this territory an intriguing proposition.

Like the Buffalo Sabres, the Detroit Red Wings are currently in a rebuilding phase, also seeking to end their own lengthy playoff drought of eight years. Openly pursuing a stronger roster to aid their postseason aspirations, the Red Wings have directed their attention towards Cozens. On January 8, Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman speculated that Detroit was actively looking at him, with further reports surfacing two days later regarding heavy scouting efforts pre-holiday break. While details surrounding potential deals remain unclear, Friedman's sources indicated that negotiations may have approached an advanced stage. Cozens' statistics could greatly benefit from centering players like Patrick Kane and Alex DeBrincat, positioning him to potentially replace Andrew Copp as the second-line center and allowing Copp to move to the third line. The Red Wings are projected to have $9.2 million in salary-cap space by the trade deadline, which could facilitate a deal while they lack a comparable young center to offer the Sabres. However, they could present a tempting package, including the promising Marco Kasper alongside a draft pick.

The Nashville Predators have also faced a disappointing season, lingering near the bottom of the overall standings despite offseason acquisitions such as Steven Stamkos, Jonathan Marchessault, and Brady Skjei. A consistent challenge has been the absence of a skilled, reliable center on their top line. Currently, Stamkos is filling that role but is better suited for left wing, while Ryan O'Reilly has transitioned to centering the second line. Cozens, functioning as a second-line center with the Sabres, could unlock greater offensive potential by centering Nashville's top line, playing alongside Marchessault and either Stamkos or Filip Forsberg. A report from Marco D'Amico of RG.org on December 16 mentioned Cozens as a target for the Predators, who possess $13.5 million in cap space, enabling them to afford his $7.1 million cap hit. Their three first-round picks could serve as enticing trade bait, complemented by the talented young center Fedor Svechkov in a potential deal.

The Philadelphia Flyers find themselves in a similar conundrum, grappling with the absence of a high-scoring center and shuffling players to fill this role throughout the season. Veteran Sean Couturier, a former Selke Trophy winner, is currently on checking-line duty as his peak performance years wind down. In a suggestion on December 21, Sam Carchidi from The Hockey News advised the Flyers to pursue Cozens actively, positing that he could fulfill a first-line center position and rejuvenate his scoring output. As part of a potential deal for Cozens, he proposed that the Flyers offer center/winger Scott Laughton, alongside 25-year-old center Morgan Frost, both of whom could benefit from a change of scenery. With an estimated $6.2 million in available cap space by the March 7 trade deadline, the Flyers face a challenge in accommodating Cozens' $7.1 million cap hit. However, a trade involving Laughton and Frost would alleviate $5.1 million from their salary cap, providing sufficient space to facilitate the acquisition.

On December 16, Elliotte Friedman also speculated a trade scenario between Dylan Cozens and the Vancouver Canucks, proposing that the Sabres might send Cozens and defenseman Bowen Byram to the Canucks in exchange for center Elias Pettersson. This speculation ignited a wave of discussions surrounding Pettersson's connection with teammate J.T. Miller, prompting rumors about the Canucks' interest in gauging the trade market for both players, securing them a spot on Moneyline's January NHL trade block. The Canucks, looking for a center in return for Pettersson, might view Cozens as a fitting addition to center their second line behind Miller, bringing additional value with Byram potentially enhancing their defense. The prospect of moving both Cozens' and Byram's respective cap hits would significantly aid the Sabres in accommodating Pettersson's $11.6 million cap hit. While Friedman emphasized that this notion was a speculative scenario, it illustrates the ongoing conversations surrounding Cozens and the Sabres' future.

As the March 7 NHL trade deadline approaches, the situation surrounding Dylan Cozens is one worth closely monitoring, as various teams consider their options regarding potential trades and roster improvements.