The Ottawa Senators have made a significant move ahead of the NHL trade deadline, acquiring center Dylan Cozens and defenseman Dennis Gilbert from the Buffalo Sabres in exchange for center Josh Norris and defenseman Jacob Bernard-Docker. The Senators also received a second-round draft pick for 2026.

Cozens, a seventh overall pick in 2019, has shown promise this season with 11 goals and 20 assists in 61 games, enhancing Ottawa's lineup alongside captain Brady Tkachuk. Gilbert has added depth to the defense, although his contributions have been modest this season with five assists in 25 games.

On the other hand, Norris has had a challenging season with 20 goals and 13 assists across 53 games, struggling to maintain health since his 35-goal breakout in 2021-22. Bernard-Docker, a first-round pick in 2018, has not significantly impacted the Senators' scoring, making this trade a potential win for Ottawa as they bolster their chances in the playoff race, currently sitting in a wild-card position in the Eastern Conference.

The Ottawa Senators made a significant move ahead of the NHL trade deadline, acquiring center Dylan Cozens and defenseman Dennis Gilbert from the Buffalo Sabres. In exchange, the Senators sent center Josh Norris and defenseman Jacob Bernard-Docker to Buffalo, along with a 2026 second-round draft pick. Cozens, the seventh overall pick in 2019, has been a standout this season with 11 goals and 20 assists. His size, standing at 6'3" and weighing 207 pounds, complements Ottawa's roster, particularly alongside captain Brady Tkachuk. Meanwhile, Norris, who has struggled with injuries, has 20 goals this season and carries a hefty contract. Bernard-Docker, a first-round draft pick in 2018, has underperformed this season but is still seen as a valuable asset.

This trade reflects Ottawa's push for a playoff position as they hold onto the second wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference. The Senators currently have 67 points, tied with the New York Rangers, while the Sabres languish at the bottom of the standings. This trade may help Ottawa solidify its roster as it heads toward the playoffs, while Buffalo continues its rebuild.

The Buffalo Sabres appear to have turned a corner with a four-game winning streak, notably highlighted by a physical altercation in their recent match against the Columbus Blue Jackets. Defenseman Dennis Gilbert's fight with Mathieu Olivier sent a clear message to the league, reflecting the team's desire to protect their star player, Tage Thompson, following a previous dirty hit against him by Stefan Noesen of the New Jersey Devils.

Olivier acknowledged the necessity of the fight, stating it was essential to ensure the Sabres did not target his team in retaliation. This moment of grit may well signify a shift in the Sabres' culture, emphasizing their determination to stand up for themselves on the ice.

Brady Tkachuk of the Ottawa Senators, renowned for his skill and aggressive playstyle, faced criticism following a controversial incident during a game against the Buffalo Sabres on January 9. Tkachuk delivered a dangerous hit to Jason Zucker, who was unsuspecting and turned away. Despite the severity of the hit, Tkachuk received only a two-minute minor penalty for charging.

The incident resulted in Zucker being helped off the ice, but fortunately, he returned to play later. Tkachuk’s actions sparked a confrontation with Sabres defenseman Dennis Gilbert, who sought to challenge him to a fight, yet Tkachuk declined.

The Buffalo Sabres are set to take on the Washington Capitals tonight, aiming to halt a three-game losing streak. Facing the Capitals, the current leaders of the Eastern Conference, presents a formidable challenge for the Sabres.

In a shake-up of their lineup following the defeat against the Vegas Golden Knights, the Sabres have made notable changes. While the first line remains unchanged with Jason Zucker, Dylan Cozens, and Tage Thompson, the second line sees Ryan McLeod stepping up as the center, accompanied by wingers JJ Peterka and Alex Tuch. Additionally, the third line features Kulich as the center, with Zach Benson and Peyton Krebs on the wings, while Jack Quinn has been reassigned to the fourth line.

Defensively, Owen Power is paired with Connor Clifton in the second pairing, while Henri Jokiharju returns to play alongside Mattias Samuelsson on the third pairing. Dennis Gilbert will serve as the extra defenseman.