[Rumour] LeBrun: Flames remain interested in Cozens despite trading for Frost

[Sandman]

Cozens is only 23. Get him away from Buffalo, and watch him flourish. He has everything you want in a top-line C, with solid two-way ability, size, speed, scoring prowess, and a bit of a chip on his shoulder. Not the best example perhaps, but look at his performances in the last 2 World Championships- he was one of the best players there both times.

[InternationalVillager]

Originally Posted by Sandman

Cozens is only 23. Get him away from Buffalo, and watch him flourish. He has everything you want in a top-line C, with solid two-way ability, size, speed, scoring prowess, and a bit of a chip on his shoulder. Not the best example perhaps, but look at his performances in the last 2 World Championships- he was one of the best players there both times.

24 next week but I agree with you 100%.

Bring in Cozens and you can give him and Frost a legitimate shot at top 2 C slots while playing Kadri and Backlund as your 3/4 C.

Huberdeau-Cozens-Farabee
Zary-Frost-Coronato
Sharangovich-Kadri-Pospisil
Coleman-Backlund-Lomberg

[Enoch Root]

Cozens is not, and IMO never will be, a #1 C.

[TrentCrimmIndependent]

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

Cozens is not, and IMO never will be, a #1 C.

[TrentCrimmIndependent]

Originally Posted by InternationalVillager

Lindholm had 44 pts the year prior to being traded to the Flames and scoring 78 pts.

Yes- he played with Monahan and Gaudreau but you can't discount his contribution in that equation.

It's a chance you take for the chance that he still has upside to show.

Worst case scenario he makes Kadri expendable when he begins to slow down and you can run with him as your 2C for as long as he'll stay/sign for.

He'd be a good 2C anywhere in the league presently.

[SeanCharles]

Originally Posted by InternationalVillager

24 next week but I agree with you 100%.

Bring in Cozens and you can give him and Frost a legitimate shot at top 2 C slots while playing Kadri and Backlund as your 3/4 C.

Huberdeau-Cozens-Farabee
Zary-Frost-Coronato
Sharangovich-Kadri-Pospisil
Coleman-Backlund-Lomberg

I want Cozens but I don't know how we keep everyone upfront if we acquire him. Buffalo doesn't want futures.

[3rd liner]

Originally Posted by dammage79

Age, handedness, has shown he could produce at a 70p pace once already in his career.

Much like Frost the idea is to free a player from the shackles of their current organization and the gamble is they'll pop.

Good to know, I was wondering as well. I haven't watched much Sabres hockey but I'm seeing some of the trade proposals here (i.e. Andersson being mentioned) and not understanding how Cozens is this highly rated. I guess there is the youth factor going into a 're-tool' as well and other factors that were mentioned. But Andersson, pospisil and a pick?? Seems REALLY high for what Cozens has done, even with the potential factor there.

[ForeverFlameFan]

I just don't see the need to go big asset spending on someone like Cozens when we just got Frost. I would also like Zary to get some center opportunities again, if we acquired Cozens that would be the end of Zary at center imo.

Draft a couple of centers in this upcoming draft and see where we fall from there. If we are acquiring a center via trade, I would hope it would be someone that is more of a play driver, and Cozens isn't that.

[Badgers Nose]

Originally Posted by SeanCharles

I want Cozens but I don't know how we keep everyone upfront if we acquire him. Buffalo doesn't want futures.

Pospisil and a #### ton of marginal defensemen (Hanley, Bean, Barrie)?

Maybe an extra Miromanov?

It would have to happen now to work though.

Seriously though, if we get him cheap, it's because he is what we paid for him.

If he is as good as you guys say, then we don't have enough of what BUF wants.

But maybe the fact that every player with a NTC will not waive to go there will force BUF to shift to a package for futures.

[TrentCrimmIndependent]

Originally Posted by ForeverFlameFan

I just don't see the need to go big asset spending on someone like Cozens when we just got Frost. I would also like Zary to get some center opportunities again, if we acquired Cozens that would be the end of Zary at center imo.

Draft a couple of centers in this upcoming draft and see where we fall from there. If we are acquiring a center via trade, I would hope it would be someone that is more of a play driver, and Cozens isn't that.

It's definitely not something you force (harkening back to moves we've made before to "fast forward" the rebuild).

You do it if Buffalo comes to the table with a reasonable proposal.

I think the Flames will have the talent they need in the long run. There's a lot in the pipeline as we speak. We have to be patient for it though.

Have to be very picky about what they relinquish to pick up an established center. Unless a golden opportunity shows up, let your in-system talent cook. That's been the lesson that many Canadian teams have failed to heed in their bids for contention.

[Jay Random]

Originally Posted by TrentCrimmIndependent

It's a chance you take for the chance that he still has upside to show.

The question is, how much are you willing to pay to take that chance? Apparently Conroy isn't willing to pay as much as the Sabres are asking, which suggests he doesn't think it's anywhere near a certainty that Cozens is, in fact, a #1 centre waiting to happen.

[Buff]

Originally Posted by Jay Random

The problem is, when a player isn't playing like a #1 centre, it's usually because he isn't one.

Put yourself in an toxic environment and see if you reach your potential.

[Buff]

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

Cozens is not, and IMO never will be, a #1 C.

He needs to leave Buffalo for you to believe that he is.

[PepsiFree]

Originally Posted by Jay Random

The question is, how much are you willing to pay to take that chance? Apparently Conroy isn't willing to pay as much as the Sabres are asking, which suggests he doesn't think it's anywhere near a certainty that Cozens is, in fact, a #1 centre waiting to happen.

If it was a certainty he wouldn’t be available. Nobody thinks it’s a certainty. But there’s a few signs it’s a real possibility.

[Poe969]

Reinhart didn't look great in Buffalo and looks pretty good in Florida

[Royle9]

Originally Posted by Poe969

Reinhart didn't look great in Buffalo and looks pretty good in Florida

Eichel
ROR
Ulmark
Skinner
Reinhart

All guys who did better when having left Buffalo.

[Buff]

Originally Posted by Royle9

Eichel
ROR
Ulmark
Skinner
Reinhart

All guys who did better when having left Buffalo.

Maybe not Skinner. He's doing worse.

[VilleN]

Originally Posted by Poe969

Reinhart didn't look great in Buffalo and looks pretty good in Florida

Holloway and Broberg are other good examples. If the price is right, I think Cozens fits this team. Maybe follow that up by trading Kadri.

[Sandman]

Originally Posted by VilleN

Holloway and Broberg are other good examples. If the price is right, I think Cozens fits this team. Maybe follow that up by trading Kadri.

I was one of the few who were advocating for Broberg and Hollway, and I said the same thing about them that I am saying about Cozens- get them out of the bad environment they are in and watch them shine. I said the same about Kakko too.

[Vinny01]

If the Flames go out and get Cozens I think we have to look at this a strictly a retool which for some is unacceptable but for others will be welcomed.

We had our big 4 prospects that remained under Treliving and while Pelletier was used in a deal to upgrade the team has graduated Wolf, Zary and Coronato who are now our #1 goalie and 2 top 9 forwards all with more upside.

In addition to that Conroy has restocked the prospect pool and it remains in better shape now than when he took it over. Some guys who are 30+ like Markstrom, Lindholm, Toffoli, and Tanev were all moved out for younger pieces like Bahl, Sharangovich, Frost, Farabee who combined with the 3 prospects that graduated have helped lower the age of this team.

If they could land Cozens they would have a pretty strong center group 1-4. No superstar elite but 3 guys with at least #2 ability and Backlund being a responsible bottom 6 option. With Wolf it is a bit tough to see multiple years picking high as he could single handily keep this team out of the basement.

This team is also posed to pick 2x 1st rounder for 3 straight drafts which will help keep the pool/asset base strong.

If they get Cozens though I think those hoping for a tankbuild will be left disappointed