BUFFALO, N.Y. — The Buffalo Sabres' second-line center Dylan Cozens will be calling the Key Bank Center home for a little bit longer. The team announced Tuesday, they've signed Cozens to a new seven-year contract extension worth $49.7 million dollars.
The 2019 seventh-overall draft pick has 17 goals and 26 assists in 49 games, setting another season high. Cozens is currently on pace for 0.88 points per game, second in his draft class.
When asked about Cozens in December, Sabres coach Don Granato said, "He competes for the right reason being in a team sport. He brings guys in with him, he drags people into the fight, per se, which is a real indicator of his leadership and leadership ability going forward."
The Sabres have now signed three members of their core to seven-year contracts. Tage Thompson signed a $50 million dollar contract in August. Mattias Samuelsson signed for $30 million dollars in October. Cozens, Thompson, and Samuelsson are all younger than 26.
As of February 7, the Sabres are sitting on the cusp of a wildcard spot and the playoff race is heating up. Buffalo is tied with the Flordia Panthers with 56 points. Both are one point behind the Penguins for the final wildcard spot.
Eastern Conference Standings as of 2/7
Metropolitan:
- Carolina Hurricanes - 76 Points
- New Jersey Devils - 70 Points
- New York Rangers - 64 Points
Atlantic
- Boston Bruins - 83 Points
- Toronto Maple Leafs - 70 Points
- Tampa Bay Lightning - 65 Points
Wildcard 1: Washington Capitols - 60 Points
Wildcard 2: Pittsburgh Penguins - 57 Points
New York Islanders - 57 Points
Buffalo Sabres - 56 Points
Florida Panthers - 56 Points