Forwards Dylan Cozens and Jack Quinn have been added to our training camp roster and are expected to join the team on the ice in the coming days. pic.twitter.com/xIIiyXyml9
— Buffalo Sabres (@BuffaloSabres) January 6, 2021
@dylancozens and @jackquinn_19 should get a good night’s sleep. The young bucks will be on the dance floor Friday morning with #Sabres according to Ralph Krueger #Sabres @WHLHurricanes @Ottawa67sHockey
— SabresBuzz (@SabresBuzz) January 7, 2021
If all the safety boxes are checked, then young bucks will join the second practice group which features the organizational prospects and Rochester Amerks players. Since Wednesday morning, Cozens and Quinn have been in quarantine in a Buffalo hotel after they took a private plane to Buffalo following Canada’s 2-0 loss to Team USA in the WJC gold medal game on January 5.
When asked Thursday about the availability of Cozens and Quinn, Sabres head coach Ralph Krueger said that both players will be joining the training camp activities on Friday. “I hope they’re enjoying their hotel room,… Krueger quipped. “I haven’t seen them live, because of the respect we have for the quarantine isolation. I’m pretty confident you’re going to see them tomorrow.…
Before they jump into the fray, must first pass COVID testing and other medical assessments. In 7 tournament games played, Cozens, 19, led the World Juniors tourney with 8 goals scored to go along with 8 assists. Cozens, a power forward, finished second to Team USA’s Trevor Zegras (18 points) in total points with 16.
On Monday, while Cozens, a native of Whitehorse, Yukon, was preparing to compete for the World Juniors gold medal, veteran energy winger Zemgus Girgensons suffered a serious lower body injury during a scrimmage in Buffalo. Girgensons underwent successful surgery and will be lost to the Sabres for the next six months. Cozens has earned the nickname "Workhorse From Whitehorse" and could not ask for a better opportunity to earn a roster spot in the NHL. A prolific scorer in juniors, Cozens scored 1.25 points per game. In 179 regular season games, Cozens scored 95 goals and 128 assists for 223 points. In 35 WHL playoff games, Cozens scored 14 goals and 15 assists.
The onus is now on Cozens to make a favorable impression on Krueger, Adams, Jack Eichel and his Sabres teammates. Cozens is not asking for a hand out. He wants to earn his roster spot in Buffalo and it is a fait accompli that he will pass his audition and be in Buffalo's opening night roster on January 14 when Alex Ovechkin and the Washington Capitals travel to Buffalo.
Quinn, 19, a sniping winger, chipped in five assists in 7 games played for Team Canada. In 2019-20, his NHL draft year, Quinn scored 1.44 points per game by ripping 52 goals and 37 assists in 62 games played. He was +48.
Quinn will not be an option to join the Sabres roster after training camp. However, he will be a taxi squad player that will practice with the Sabres and accompany the team on road trips during the 56-game regular season. When injuries arise this season, Quinn likely would be an option to join the Sabres’ roster as a replacement player.
Sheahan earned $900K in a Edmonton last season. #Sabres will be wise to ink Sheahan for a neat and tidy $950K
— SabresBuzz (@SabresBuzz) January 8, 2021
The luck of the Irish â˜˜ï¸ is smiling down on St. Catherines native, Notre Dame University grad Riley Sheahan. The veteran center will find his pot of gold in Buffalo. The injury to Zemgus Girgensons will allow #Sabres to sign Sheahan to a contract for this season.
— SabresBuzz (@SabresBuzz) January 8, 2021
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Will Borgen, come on down!
Props to defenseman Will Borgen for earning his stall in the room for the #Sabres practice at 10:00am today. Borgen had himself a helluva Gold & Blue scrimmage and earned his promotion to the veteran group. Go get it, Will #@BuffaloSabres
— SabresBuzz (@SabresBuzz) January 7, 2021