Prospect Info: Tyson Kozak, F (193rd overall, 2021) -- SIGNED to 3-year ELC

[CowbellConray]

Especially with an influx of more young players coming. Getting him in early, though somewhat unexpected at the time, positions him well to not only not get lost in the mix but to take a leadership role to the other prospects. He’ll have gone through it already…and will have a bigger role

Without putting the expectations of projection onto Kozak, I'm hopefully he is looking at a bottom 6 role on the big club in the next two seasons.

 

[DolanPlsGoSabres]

The Islanders would love him.

So some day he'll kick in a goal against us which screws our season over

 

[debaser66]

Yeah, just looking at the player stat lines, one has to take into it that Kozak is 4.5 years younger than Murray. At the same age, Murray was playing for Youngstown of the USHL and had to come to the next camp to earn an AHL contract, let alone an NHL deal. Murray's playing PP time for Rochester - sometimes first, sometimes second depending on available personnel - and Kozak almost without fail does not and that lead to 8 goals and 13 PP points for Murray.

In just playoff terms, Jobst with Mersch and Murray on the wings had some matchup issues trying to slow down Barre-Boulet and were on for the last two Crunch goals in Game 5. I wouldn't look too deeply into the +/- thing. The Game 3 win was due in large part for what Murray did offensively an dhe still wound up -1.

They don't have Biro so they're playing Jobst up as C1 and Malone as C2 while Kozak was on Malone's wing much in Game's 4 and 5 with Rosen on the other side. He's been the sort of warrior mentality that Sabre fans will love when it translates up to the big club. He takes hits to make plays - the one were he gets crushed to feed Weissbach in Game 1 was something lesser players wouldn't have tried, they would've daisy curled and peeled off instead of eating the hit. If there is question of where an energy line replacement or two are coming from within the Sabres prospect cadre, Kozak is at the top of a very short list with Cederqvist for those sort of roles.

I personally would count Rousek to that group

 

[Chainshot]

I personally would count Rousek to that group

He's in the mix but he's more of a speed/pest checker than a banger. Kozak, Cederqvist it's part of their game, Rousek's game is much more about his burst and persistence.

 

[debaser66]

He's in the mix but he's more of a speed/pest checker than a banger. Kozak, Cederqvist it's part of their game, Rousek's game is much more about his burst and persistence.

I must have misread, I thought the post was in general about that 4th line energy role; I thought Rousek showed his willingness in his 2 games to go to the dirty areas in front of the net, which seems to be avoided by most of the big club personnel.

 

[ValJamesDuex]

Sabres prospect Tyson Kozak having an 'incredibly impressive' rookie season with Amerks

Kozak is responsible defensively, blocks shots, shuts down opposing power plays, wins important faceoffs and, when necessary, defends himself.

buffalonews.com

 

[Gabrielor]

Future NHLer who's a menace of the 4th line.

 

[Ace]

He casually blocks every puck that gets near him. Peca is going to mold him into a winner. Raved about him at dev camp…stole him away to the AHL when most thought he should be sent back to captain his WHL team. Has to be thrilled with his development track right now. Making big time plays in the biggest games.

 

[TheBarnIsElectric]

I think he has more to give offensively too. Really looking forward to him earning a spot over the next couple years.

 

[mcy35]

I know that the organization is higher on him than most fans realize. He’s got some more cooking to do but the coaches and front office like this guy. He’s a dog (I mean that in a positive way lol)

 

[Dingo44]

Tyson Kozak quietly emerging as one of Sabres’ best forward prospects - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Fresh off a rookie season in which he enjoyed regular duty in the AHL, Buffalo Sabres prospect Tyson Kozak has been an early standout.

www.buffalohockeybeat.com

 

[DJN21]

I'd take him over Jost right now and not bat an eye.

 

[SnuggaRUDE]

If you pulled Kozak up to the NHL right now I don't think you'd like the results.

 

[Jacob582]

With a depleted Amerks roster, Kozak wore an A for tonight's game.

 

[Chainshot]

I'm mildly concerned about his constant and varying injuries. When he's on, he's an asset, but at this point, is that going to ever be consistent enough to get reps and push further upward?

 

[CaliSabresfan24]

Glad to see him back during the playoffs.

Haven't watched Amerks this year but I know he's been battling injuries. Is there still a chance he can be a 4th line PKer on the Sabres?

 

[Chainshot]

Glad to see him back during the playoffs.

Haven't watched Amerks this year but I know he's been battling injuries. Is there still a chance he can be a 4th line PKer on the sabres?

I think so but this season he was so broken that I would wonder at how much did he grow vs how much was he just trying to get back on the ice or play through things. That said… he could still be that sort of depth piece. I just don’t know if his game got any better this season. He has only 42 games this year so far and last year was 69 (regular season and playoffs combined).

Edit - he needs reps and needs to stay healthy.

 

[MarkusKetterer]

So he’s Tyson “Matej Pekar” Kozak?

 

[Chainshot]

So he’s Tyson “Matej Pekar” Kozak?

No because he hasn't lost junior seasons to shoulder problems.

 

[Dingo44]

Still pulling for this kid to stay healthy. He'd be the perfect 4th line center.

 

[MarkusKetterer]

No because he hasn't lost junior seasons to shoulder problems.

You need to get better so you stop ruining my jokes.

 

[Beerz]

Still pulling for this kid to stay healthy. He'd be the perfect 4th line center.

If he doesn't work out he can always become an AHL ref and screw the Amerks