Cozens signs seven-year extension with Sabres

The Buffalo Sabres have signed forward Dylan Cozens to a massive seven-year contract extension that carries an average annual value of $7.1 million, the NHL club said on Tuesday.

DYLAN COZENS IS STAYING IN BUFFALO. ⚔️ pic.twitter.com/JGFcrTMtDG

— Buffalo Sabres (@BuffaloSabres) February 7, 2023

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The deal, which ties the Whitehorse, Yukon native to Buffalo through the 2030-31 season, includes a $2 million signing bonus in the first year and a five-team no-trade clause in years five to seven.

The 21-year-old Cozens racked up 17 goals and 26 assists for 43 points in 49 games, all while logging nearly 17 minutes in average nightly ice time and beginning less than half of his shifts in the offensive zone.

The Sabres have opted to act quickly regarding contract extensions under GM Kevyn Adams, signing the likes of Tage Thompson and Mattias Samuelsson to long-term deals very early in their careers in the hopes of getting bang for their buck down the line.