Check out the latest on the Flames and Islanders in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.
CALGARY SUN: Kent Wilson examined whether Buffalo Sabres center Dylan Cozens would be a good fit for the Flames. They’ve been in the market for a big center with a right-handed shot.
The 6’3”, 210-pound Cozens seems to fit the bill. He’s two years removed from a career-best 31-goal, 68-point performance. The 23-year-old has been the frequent subject of recent trade speculation.
Buffalo Sabres forward Dylan Cozens (NHL Images).
With a growing pool of draft picks and prospects, the Flames could part with some of them to acquire Cozens. He could help them accelerate their rebuild.
However, Wilson also points out the decline in his production over the past two seasons, adding that he doesn’t drive the play or defend well. He’s employed as a second-line center against other teams’ second and third-liners.
Wilson also believes Cozens would be expensive to acquire and retain. He’s in the second season of a seven-year deal with an average annual value of $7.1 million.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Sabres are reportedly looking to add to their roster rather than subtract. If they were to trade Cozens (and that remains a big “if” right now) they’ll want a good young player who can provide immediate help in return, not draft picks and prospects. That’s what they got for Casey Mittelstadt last season, swapping him to Colorado for Bowen Bryam.
SPORTSNET: Eric Francis reports Flames goaltender Dan Vladar wants to sign a contract extension. The 27-year-old has evenly split the goalie duties with promising rookie Dustin Wolf but he’s also drawn the bulk of the starts against difficult opponents.
Vladar is earning an annual salary-cap hit of $2.2 million. He is due to become an unrestricted free agent on July 1.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: It’ll depend on how much Vladar seeks on his next contract and for how long. The Flames won’t want to invest in a big raise on a long-term deal when Wolf is considered their future between the pipes. However, finding a suitable replacement for Vladar could be difficult.
THE ATHLETIC: Arthur Staple believes the struggling New York Islanders face a reckoning this season as they hobble into the New Year. He believes the core group are good players, many of whom played key roles in the club’s “delightful run” from 2018 to 2021, “but it is so very over.”
Islanders center Brock Nelson is near the top of most NHL trade boards. However, Staple reports teams that are currently buyers are hearing that Isles general manager Lou Lamoriello isn’t interested in selling. Lamoriello has often said the team’s performance will dictate what he’ll do at the trade deadline. Staple believes the team is “sending a neon message to him now.”
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Lamoriello has been running it back since 2021-22, hoping his core can regain the form that carried the Isles to consecutive conference finals in 2020 and 2021. Since then, however, they missed the 2022 postseason and were bounced from the first round over the following two seasons.
Islanders fans are calling for change, that it’s time for at least a roster retool. The team must take that opportunity to rebuild while their supporters are open to it.