Fantasy Hockey Features: Dylan Cozen's difficult start

Drafted seventh overall by the Buffalo Sabres in 2019, there was an expectation that Dylan Cozens would become a top-of-the-roster player for the team in the next five years. With 31 goals and 37 assists in 2022-23, the breakout that Sabres fans and fantasy owners the world over were hoping for came to pass. With just five goals and 16 points through 30 games in 2023-24, the step back after the breakout also came to pass. Let’s break down the Cozens breakout effort, what has changed in 2023-24, and what kind of player fantasy owners can hope to roster for the next decade. 

When looking at what made so many Buffalo skaters good-to-great fantasy options in 2022-23, how the team played is paramount. Starting in the Bubble 2020-21 season under coach Don Granato, Buffalo was a team that usually