Just hours before the 2025 NHL trade deadline officially arrived Friday, the Sabres and Senators made a deal swapping centers.
In a trade involving four players, two former first-round selections were the headliners; Dylan Cozens was sent to Ottawa, while Buffalo landed Josh Norris.
Cozens, 24, will get a change of scenery with the Senators as his numbers have fallen off since a 31-goal season with the Sabres in 2022-23. Meanwhile, Buffalo will be acquiring the 25-year-old Norris, who has had a stronger season at center thus far.
Here’s what to know about the trade between Buffalo and Ottawa before Friday’s trade deadline.
MORE: Tracking the deals made at the 2025 NHL trade deadline
Dylan Cozens-Josh Norris trade details
Sabres acquire:
- F Josh Norris
- D Jacob Bernard-Docker
Senators acquire:
- F Dylan Cozens
- D Dennis Gilbert
- 2026 2nd round pick
In the trade, which has already been made official, Buffalo lands Norris and another former first-round pick in Bernard-Docker. This season, Bernard-Docker hasn’t been in the Senators’ lineup often, totaling one goal and three assists through 25 games. In 2024-25, he had 14 points in 72 games.
On the other side, Ottawa also lands two players, plus a second-round pick. Outside of Cozens, who had been the subject of trade rumors throughout the season, the Senators also acquired Gilbert, a 28-year-old defenseman that’s now set to play for his fifth NHL squad. Gilbert has posted five assists in 25 game appearances this year.
MORE: What to know about the trade that sent Brock Nelson to the Avalanche
Dylan Cozens 2024-25 stats
After a career-year in 2022-23, Cozens will be seeking to find a resurgence in Ottawa as his impact has been more limited in Buffalo over the last two seasons. His 31 points were tied for seventh on the Sabres before his departure.
Here’s a look at Cozens’ numbers this season:
| Games | Goals | Assists | Points | Power-play goals | Power-play assists | Time on ice per game |
| 61 | 11 | 20 | 31 | 2 | 2 | 17:12 |
Josh Norris 2024-25 stats
Norris was in his sixth year with the Senators before the trade. Like Cozens, his best NHL season came a few years back, as Norris totaled a career-high 55 points in 2021-22. His 33 points have ranked sixth on the Senators so far this season.
Here’s a look at Norris’ stats in 2024-25:
| Games | Goals | Assists | Points | Power-play goals | Power-play assists | Time on ice per game |
| 53 | 20 | 13 | 33 | 6 | 5 | 18:19 |
