High fantasy sleeper for the Buffalo Sabres in 2022-23

August 22, 2022

The Buffalo Sabres confirmed late final season that they maintain worth in fantasy hockey. However one participant that didn’t is a deep sleeper for 2022-23. 

While you consider the Buffalo Sabres and fantasy hockey in 2022-23, you could really feel that a number of gamers would make good mid-to-late-round draft picks. Names like Tage Thompson, Rasmus Dahlin, Owen Energy, and maybe Alex Tuch and Jeff Skinner stand out. However one potential standout title has acquired little buzz: Dylan Cozens. 

The Workhorse from Whitehorse solely scored 38 factors in 79 video games, that means most fantasy hockey house owners will scoff and go elsewhere within the late, and even the ultimate spherical. However in the event you play in a league that includes 12 or extra groups, you could need to suppose twice, given the potential Cozens confirmed final 12 months.

If Buffalo Sabres heart Dylan Cozens scores all through 2022-23 the best way he did in elements of 2021-22, anticipate him to place up respectable fantasy hockey numbers.

Earlier than the All-Star Break, Cozens scored 11 targets and 10 assists in 41 video games, placing him on tempo for 22 targets and 20 assists had he stored up the identical tempo. Sadly, he scored simply two the remainder of the best way, however he did put up 15 assists, for a complete of 13 targets and 25 assists.

Cozens had streaky and inconsistent manufacturing in 2021-22. However one cause I’m excessive on him as a late, or closing spherical decide on your 2022 fantasy draft is as a result of he made a robust leap in manufacturing from Yr One to Yr Two nonetheless.

Let’s return to 2020-21, the place he scored simply 13 factors, 4 targets, and 9 assists in 41 video games. Final season, his 22 factors in 41 video games confirmed us a 41 % improve in output from his rookie season. Cozens is heading into Yr Three, and it is very important keep in mind that he’s simply 21 years previous, that means he nonetheless has a variety of rising to do.

Suppose we see one other 41 % improve from Yr Two to Yr Three in 41 video games. This might give him 30 factors over the primary 41. He scored 17 factors in his closing 38 video games final season (he performed in 79). Take one other 41 %, and also you get 24. That’s a 54-point season.

Whereas the rise in manufacturing from a proportion standpoint will finally wane, given the expansion Cozens and the Sabres have proven offensively all through 2021-22, he’s one participant that, barring harm, will proceed to take pleasure in such development.

This text isn’t saying that it’s sensible to draft Cozens within the mid rounds, and even the early parts of the later rounds. However within the penultimate or closing spherical of a fantasy hockey draft in a league that includes 12 or extra groups, he’s price wanting into contemplating his bounce in total manufacturing over his first two seasons.

(Statistics offered by Hockey-Reference)

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