Toronto Maple Leafs Ideal Potential Trade Target at Centre Revealed
The Toronto Maple Leafs have a third line center issue, but according to analysts the best solution lies with the Buffalo Sabres but more specifically Dylan Cozens.
With the Maple Leafs looking to solidify their spot atop the Atlantic Division, much talk has come about who they should acquire, but a couple of team analysts have the inside track.
Dylan Cozens a perfect fit for the Maple Leafs
Speaking on their podcast the 'Real Kyper and Bourne Show', analysts Nick Kypreos and Justin Bourne broke down Cozens as a potential fit for the Maple Leafs:
"Tavares is gone, not sure what Mitch is gonna do. To get him this year, you gotta ditch some money. Look...make an offer they can't refuse."
Toronto is definitely not trying to break the bank or their farm system to make a splash but it's not too often that such a high-profile name comes around available for the potential taking.
Cozens would no doubt command a package including Easton Cowan, potentially both Pontus Holmberg and Conor Timmins, several draft picks and even more prayers.
This season, Cozens has 10 goals, 13 assists, 94 hits, and 33 blocks although is minus-18; not solely his fault, and is still only 23 so if Toronto can somehow acquire him it would be an outstanding bit of business by GM Brad Treliving.
If Cozens is too expensive, Toronto can always fall back on cheaper options like Charlie Coyle or Nick Bjugstad, but no matter the name attached; a deal is going to get done by March 7.
He recently signed a seven-year extension at a yearly salary of $7.1M for the next five seasons, so asking Buffalo to take money would be a potential workaround but there's no doubt they need to dump cap if going after Cozens.
It's more imperative than ever that Toronto gets enough insurance for not only the playoffs this season but going forward, as the aforementioned contracts of John Tavares and Mitch Marner already weigh heavy on the minds of the Leafs front office.
