Ottawa Senators GM Steve Staios made a major roster move before the NHL trade deadline, acquiring Dylan Cozens from the Buffalo Sabres in exchange for fellow center Josh Norris in a high-profile trade on Friday.
The Senators also sent defenseman Jacob Bernard-Docker to Buffalo in the deal, receiving blue-liner Dennis Gilbert and a second-round pick in the 2026 NHL Draft in return.
Cozens, 24, carries a $7.1 million cap hit through the 2029-30 season and has recorded 11 goals and 20 assists for 31 points in 61 games this season. His arrival marks a significant addition to Ottawa’s push to end a seven-year playoff drought.
Senators captain Brady Tkachuk was visibly emotional following the trade, struggling to hold back tears as he discussed losing longtime friend Norris.
“It’s pretty tough,” said Tkachuk. “It sucks, losing a guy like that. Obviously, everybody knows how much he means to me.”
Cozens, a 6-foot-3 forward from Whitehorse, was drafted seventh overall in 2019 and has 77 goals and 120 assists for 197 points in 341 career NHL games.
Norris, 25, has battled injuries throughout his career but remains a productive player, tallying 20 goals and 13 assists in 53 games this season. He has 90 goals and 66 assists in 236 career games, all with Ottawa, after joining the team as part of the 2018 Erik Karlsson trade with San Jose.
Ottawa (31-25-5) currently holds the second wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference, while Buffalo (24-31-6) continues its 14-season playoff drought.
With Friday’s 3 p.m. ET deadline looming, teams across the NHL have been active in the trade market. The Winnipeg Jets acquired veteran defenseman Luke Schenn from the Pittsburgh Penguins in exchange for second- and fourth-round draft picks, and also added forward Brandon Tanev from the Seattle Kraken for a second-rounder.
The Florida Panthers bolstered their blue line with the acquisition of defenseman Seth Jones from the Chicago Blackhawks, while Tampa Bay landed forwards Yanni Gourde and Oliver Bjorkstrand from Seattle.
In the Western Conference, the Edmonton Oilers added forward Trent Frederic from Boston and defenseman Jake Walman from San Jose. The Vegas Golden Knights brought back former forward Reilly Smith in a trade with the Rangers, and the Colorado Avalanche acquired center Brock Nelson from the Islanders.
The Dallas Stars made one of the biggest splashes of the deadline, reportedly trading top prospect Logan Stankoven and two first-round picks for star winger Mikko Rantanen. As part of the blockbuster deal, Rantanen is expected to sign an eight-year, $96 million contract after failed extension talks with Carolina and Colorado.
Source: Swifteradio.com
