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Like the Buffalo Sabres, the Detroit Red Wings are a rebuilding club with aspirations of ending a long playoff drought (eight years and counting) this season. They’re also struggling to remain in the postseason hunt in the Eastern Conference and could use a boost to get them over the line.
On Jan. 8, Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reported his belief that the Red Wings had been looking at Dylan Cozens. Two days later, he claimed they scouted each other heavily before last month’s holiday break. It got out that they were looking at Cozens. Friedman didn’t know how far things had gotten, but two sources claimed a deal had been close.
Cozens’ offensive stats would improve by centering Patrick Kane and Alex DeBrincat on the Wings’ second line. He’d also fit with the younger players whom the Wings are attempting to build their future around. He would replace Andrew Copp as their second-line center, enabling him to drop to their third line.