Speculation: Bigger Breakout Season: Mitts or Cozens

[TheMistyStranger]

As the title says, who breaks out bigger this season? These are the two guys who seem the most primed to explode onto the scene, with comparable career points per game - 0.41 for Mitts and 0.425 for Cozens. The question isn't "Who has more points at the end of the season", so take into account points-per-game, overall impact on the game, etc.

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[CaliSabresfan24]

It he stays health throughout the season I say Mitts. I don't understand how so many people have written him off already... Mitts and Cozens are different.

-Mitts has the skills and talent to be a legit top 6 forward in this league he just has to stay healthy.

-Cozens has the work ethic and motivation to be great but still needs to develop his shot and play making ability.

Honestly I can see both taking big steps this year and we'll be thrilled with both of them.

 

[MOGlLNY]

Cozens, I don't see it with Mitts like a lot of people.

 

[Ace]

What changes first? Cozens luck Or Mittelstadts ability to stay healthy?

I’ll vote on the luck

 

[Diaspora]

You need to expand your poll. There's plenty of players with potential to put in a surprise breakout season. Mitts? Cozens? Krebs? OP? Cobra? Rasmus? Other Rasmus? UPL? Tage???

Gotta put the O/U at 2.5.

 

[TheMistyStranger]

You need to expand your poll. There's plenty of players with potential to put in a surprise breakout season. Mitts? Cozens? Krebs? OP? Cobra? Rasmus? Other Rasmus? UPL? Tage???

Gotta put the O/U at 2.5.

But it's only about those 2 guys. On purpose.

 

[Irie]

Olofsson

 

[Diaspora]

But it's only about those 2 guys. On purpose.

Ok. I respect your need to stay focused. Cheers.

 

[MarkusKetterer]

Voted Mitts. He’ll have the season he should have had last year.

 

[TheMistyStranger]

Ok. I respect your need to stay focused. Cheers.

The reason for it is that these two guys, at least in my perception, are the biggest "established" unknowns up front. We can all probably make reasonable guesses as to Olofsson's goal total, Tuch's points, etc. But when it comes to who Mitts and Cozens are gonna be in the NHL, the jury is still out. I also see / hear their names come up fairly regularly in terms of trade talks / future roster building (Mitts more so, but growing voices of, "If Cozens doesn't show offensive improvement this season...").

 

[Deep Blue Metallic]

Head says Cozens. Heart says Mitts.

Can I have both, please?

 

[TheMistyStranger]

Head says Cozens. Heart says Mitts.

Can I have both, please?

 

[Deep Blue Metallic]

Your thread. Your rules. ;-)

 

[Club]

I voted Cozens. I don't know if Mitts will stay healthy.

 

[Fezzy126]

I'm as big of a Mitts stan as there is on these boards, but I went with Cozens. While everyone else was vacationing on beaches and living at lake homes, this dude was hunting and killing bears with his bare hands. He does all the little things right - shows up to Amerks games, supports the prospects, fights anyone that messes with his boys on the ice... The kid is gonna kill it this year.

 

[Snippit]

If you could combine Cozens physical tools and work ethic with Mitts skill and vision you'd get a hell of a player.

Cozens is trending better at the moment so him. This is Mitts last chance in all likelihood.

 

[DapperCam]

I think Mitts has a better year in terms of offense and points. I think Cozens has a nice year himself too, just not as good.

 

[Zman5778]

If you could combine Cozens physical tools and work ethic with Mitts skill and vision you'd get a hell of a player.

Mitts and Cozens have VERY similar work ethics. Always have.

And this isn't directed at you, but as a general vent:


I suppose I shouldn't be so surprised that everyone and their 3rd cousin twice removed is calling Mitts "injury prone" (or something thereabouts) , but I am. Last year was quite literally the first year in his hockey career that he sustained anything more than a minor injury. He doesn't have a history of getting nicked up.

I voted Mitts here. Cozens I think is a year away from his true breakout.

 

[Matt Ress]

I like Mitts here. Players and coaching staff have called him one of the hardest working and expecting a breakout. Cozens does a lot of things well but I don't know if he's quite figured out his offensive game yet.

 

[old kummelweck]

I'm very bearish on Mittelstadt's upside. Looking at how these other players are pushing for a roster spot, I'm not sure his future success will be in Buffalo.

 

[Weltschmerz]

Voted Cozens to reverse jinx Mitts.

 

[Push Dr Tracksuit]

You see these flashes from Mitts but I think there’s too much against him here in Buffalo and so I don’t expect him to get the chances that Cozens will.

Wouldn’t be surprised if he goes by the deadline, even though I like him better than Krebs.

 

[Matt Ress]

You see these flashes from Mitts but I think there’s too much against him here in Buffalo and so I don’t expect him to get the chances that Cozens will.

Wouldn’t be surprised if he goes by the deadline, even though I like him better than Krebs.

I see your points. I think Mittelstadt will have plenty of opportunity. Both players being middle 6 guys on the Sabres, they'll play with the same quality of linemates this year and I doubt he'll miss out on PP time being a top skill guy. I'd be real surprised if he was moved out this year at the deadline seeing as though he is signed through next season and not a lot of guys are really ready to step into that spot.

There could be a couple reasons to move on from him this season. First, if they bring in a solid middle 6 center from the outside and CM is part of the return or washed out. Second, CM flounders through the first few months disinterested and unmotivated. Third, some team offers a knock-your-socks-off. Any of those 3 scenerios seem pretty unlikely to play out.

 

[UnleashRasmus]

Who is more likely; Cozens. Who had a nice showing at the World Championships, and in addition is younger and has not had many if any lingering injury concerns or build up. I want Mittelstadt to just make it through like 65 games. For me, his upside is now a third liner.

Note: I voted Cozens.

 

[MarkusKetterer]

Mitts and Cozens have VERY similar work ethics. Always have.

And this isn't directed at you, but as a general vent:


I suppose I shouldn't be so surprised that everyone and their 3rd cousin twice removed is calling Mitts "injury prone" (or something thereabouts) , but I am. Last year was quite literally the first year in his hockey career that he sustained anything more than a minor injury. He doesn't have a history of getting nicked up.

I voted Mitts here. Cozens I think is a year away from his true breakout.

You get injured once, you’re injury prone to people.