Senators acquire Dylan Cozens from Sabres for Josh Norris, Jacob Bernard-Docker
The Ottawa Senators have acquired center Dylan Cozens, defenseman Dennis Gilbert and a 2026 second-round pick from the Buffalo Sabres in exchange for center Josh Norris and defenseman Jacob Bernard-Docker.
Trade details:
To #Sabrehood:
C Josh Norris
D Jacob Bernard-Docker
To #GoSensGo:
C Dylan Cozens
D Dennis Gilbert
2026 2nd Round Pick
Cozens had been in trade rumours for most of the season, as another disappointing season from the Sabres has led them to look to make some changes to their team. He was ranked 27th on Daily Faceoff insider Frank Seravalli’s Trade Targets list ahead of the deadline.
Cozens is in the second year of a seven-season pact with an AAV of $7.1 million. But after putting up just 47 points a year ago, and with just 31 points in 61 games this season, it’s been a struggle for the Whitehorse, Yukon native.
The 24-year-old already has five years of NHL experience. The highs of the 68-point breakout season were just two years ago, so it’s not crazy to think Cozens could bounce back. Internationally, Cozens has 24 points over two World Championships with Canada, with his nine goals a year ago leading all players.
Cozens is set to become a UFA after the 2029-30 NHL season.
Norris is on an equally pricey contract, as he’s in the third year of an eight-year contract with a $7.95 million cap hit. He’s had a much better season this year, complete with more consistent health thus far, as he has 20 goals and 13 assists for 33 points in 53 games.
Bernard-Docker is a former-first round pick of the Senators who’s established himself as more of an everyday NHL defenseman over the past couple of seasons. That said, he hasn’t been in the Sens lineup too much this season with just 1 goal and 3 assists for 4 points in 25 games.
Gilbert was a free agent signing by the Sabres in the 2024 offseason, and has 5 assists in 25 games in the NHL this season.
Cozens could potentially make his Senators debut as early as Saturday afternoon when Ottawa hosts the New York Rangers at 12:30 p.m. EST, while Norris and Bernard-Docker could make their Sabres debuts later that day when Buffalo visits the Florida Panthers at 6 p.m. EST.