NHL Trade Rumor: Elliotte Friedman links Detroit Red Wings with $49,700,000 Sabres center

On the Jan. 10 episode of "32 Thoughts," Elliotte Friedman talked about the Detroit Red Wings showing interest in Buffalo Sabres center Dylan Cozens.

Friedman said that he had heard from sources that Detroit is looking at Cozens, who is under a seven-year contract worth $49.7 million. His contract has a cap hit of $7.1 million per season and runs until the end of the 2029-30 season.

Friedman mentioned that information had finally leaked, although both the Buffalo Sabres and Detroit Red Wings are usually tight-lipped. Friedman noted that many teams are interested in Cozens, and there were past hints of a potential deal.

"But finally, you know, it got coughed up to me that they believe that the Red Wings were looking at Cozens," Friedman said. "And it fits, I mean, I think there's a lot of people looking at Cozens.

"And I will say this, there was a time that a couple people said to me, they thought it was, they thought it was close. Now I don't know where it stands. I don't know where it's going to go." [16:50]

Cozens, 22, has played well this NHL season, scoring nine goals and 12 assists for 21 points in 42 games. However, his plus-minus rating is -13.

"One thing I do believe is that, you know, Cozens is a guy like, everybody's looking for right-hand centers," Friedman said. "So at the very least, I'm sure Buffalo has had even more of a stretch of people calling them ...

"And right now, with Thompson unable to take face-offs, Cozens, I mean, you always look to see how somebody does in a situation like this, because it's an opportunity for them to show that they can take a big role."

Over his career, Cozens has 75 goals and 112 assists in 322 games. His best season came in 2022-23 when he scored 31 goals and added 37 assists for 68 points. So, clearly, Cozens has potential, and teams, including the Detroit Red Wings, are closely watching Cozens.

Friedman talks about fixing it 'internally,' resisting Detroit Red Wings' interest

The Buffalo Sabres have improved their record slightly after losing 13 straight games. They have won five out of their recent eight games, including a 4-0 shutout win over the Ottawa Senators.

"The best way to solve your problem is to fix it internally, not to trade it elsewhere, go somewhere else," Friedman said. "So, we'll see where this all goes. But that's the guy I do believe the Red Wings are looking at pretty hard."

Detroit Red Wings have won their last five games and are looking to build on that. They have a record of 18-18-4 and are placed seventh in the Atlantic Division. That means they are five points below the Boston Bruins for the playoff spot and hoping to improve.