'It's a place I love to be' | Cozens looks ahead after signing extension

Dylan Cozens arrived in Buffalo in 2019 with the mindset that he wanted to be part of the solution for the organization that had just drafted him with the seventh-overall pick.
Much has changed in the ensuing three-plus years, from the front office to the dressing room. But Cozens was as confident as ever in the Sabres' future when he met with the media on Thursday, two days after he agreed to a seven-year contract extension worth $49.7 million.
"My vision is for this team to be a contender every single year," Cozens. "That's the goal we have, is to win Stanley Cups. I think we all believe that's what we can do."

The Sabres have locked up three core pieces to that end. Cozens, who celebrated his 22nd birthday on Thursday, joins fellow centerman Tage Thompson and defenseman Mattias Samuelsson as the third player to sign a seven-year extension in the past six months.
Those signings represent the latest phase in the vision that general manager Kevyn Adams laid out in summer 2021, a time of organizational change. The crux of the plan: replenish the pipeline, find players who want to be in Buffalo, and identify and retain core players to build around.
When the time comes to discuss contract extensions, Adams asks himself two questions. Does the player want to be here for the right reasons? Does he still have room to get better?
"Obviously, that was the case with Dylan and the others we signed as well," Adams said.

Cozens quickly endeared himself to Buffalo upon joining the Sabres as a 19-year-old rookie for the COVID-shortened 2020 season. He played a blue-collar game, hardened by his upbringing in The Yukon, where a lack of opponents forced him to play against grown men at 12 years old. (One hard hit into the boards left him with a broken leg, prompting him to leave for prep school at 14.)
But his speed and skill also showed the promise of an electric two-way threat, one that has come to fruition this season. Cozens has already set career highs in goals (17), assists (26), and points (43) in just 49 games. He is trusted defensively against top lines and leads Sabres forwards in shorthanded ice time.
"I think he's just scratching the surface," Adams said. "I honestly do. I believe he's got an elite kind of talent base where now he's starting to get enough experience that he knows when and how to use the talent and he's got some pretty good players around him, which is exciting."
One of those players is Thompson, who along with Cozens should give the Sabres an elite one-two punch at center for the next seven seasons. Thompson signed for seven years and $50 million in August, nearly identical to the deal Cozens received.
"His contract was very similar to Tage, and I think it should be that way," Granato said. "I think those two players are very comparable guys for the impact they have on winning and potential."

The long-term deals both players signed, along with Samuelsson, will allow the Sabres flexibility as they work to keep more of their core intact. The youngest team in the NHL has nine starters under the age of 24, including a pair of first-overall picks in defensemen Rasmus Dahlin and Owen Power.
Together, they have worked their way into playoff contention - just three points out from the second wild card with a game in hand as of Thursday afternoon. They believe it's only the beginning.
"[Buffalo] is place I love to be," Cozens said. "I love the people here. I love the community, how everyone comes together in adversity, and we've seen that lots this year. It's just a city that I really want to win in and I believe that we will win in."
Here's more from Thursday's practice at KeyBank Center.
1.Thompson did not practice but skated on his own Thursday morning. He is expected to be a full participant in practice on Friday, Adams said.
Thompson did not play the third period against Carolina last Wednesday due to an upper-body injury and missed the All-Star Game as a result.
"He skated today, went really well," Adams said. "The expectation is that, unless something changes overnight, he'll practice in full tomorrow."
2.Tyson Jost did not practice due to an illness. He has not been ruled out for Friday's practice.
3. Thompson and Cozens were among a group of players who spent their bye week in the Bahamas, along with Peyton Krebs, Jacob Bryson, and Alex Tuch. (Dahlin joined them after All-Star Weekend.) Another group of players vacationed in Arizona.

All of it further exemplified the culture being built in Buffalo, Adams said.
"I think that's pretty special," Adams said. "These guys are around each other a lot, and then when they get free time and can go away for a few days and they still want to be around each other - and also, by the way, the girls want to spend time together. I think that's really important. That's another part of it.
"These guys care about each other and they want the best for each other. That's not something that we'll ever take for granted because it's not easy to have. I'm excited about that."
4. The Sabres sang happy birthday to Cozens at center ice after the skate:

5.A contract extension, a GM press conference, the first practice in nearly a week - all of it was overshadowed by Thursday's guest: