With trade speculation swirling about Buffalo Sabres center Dylan Cozens, 20-year-old Jiri Kulich impressed coach Lindy Ruff on the first line.

With trade speculation swirling about Buffalo Sabres center Dylan Cozens, 20-year-old Jiri Kulich impressed coach Lindy Ruff on the first line.

The Buffalo Sabres haven't clinched a playoff berth since 2011-12. Their ongoing struggle to rise out of the bottom of the Eastern Conference standings

The Flyers could use a long-term option down the middle of the ice, making Sabres star Dylan Cozens a trade fit.

The Red Wings and Sabres nearly made a major trade involving Dylan Cozens before the NHL's annual holiday break.

The Toronto Maple Leafs have a third line center issue, but according to analysts the best solution lies with the Buffalo Sabres but more specifically Dylan Cozens.

“ [The Flames] continue to scour the market for a 25-and-under, right-shot center,” LeBrun wrote. “They are among the very long list of teams that have checked in with the Buffalo Sabres regarding 23-year-old Dylan Cozens.”

The Red Wings are currently red hot with seven straight wins and appear to be a likely candidate for one of the Eastern wild card spots. They are two points behind the Blue Jackets for the second wild spot and could overpass them and the cluster of teams still in the race by continuing and prolonging their hot streak with a big trade.

The intrigue about Canucks centers J.T. Miller and Elias Pettersson continues, while the Sabres' Dylan Cozens and Islanders' Brock Nelson remain in the rumor mill.

The Flames are reportedly pursuing Sabres center Dylan Cozens. Will Calgary land their top target? Get the latest NHL trade rumors and insider insights here!

The team hits the road for a pair of contests in Minnesota Saturday (5 p.m. MT) and Winnipeg Sunday (4 p.m. MT). After this weekend's games, the Flames will play seven of their next eight at home, beginning with a Tuesday night affair against Washington. GET TICKETS

Kulich played 17:47 in Vancouver, posted his first career three-point night and went 9-11 on faceoffs – but it was notable that he was 4-1 over the final 10 minutes and his faceoff win directly led to the winning goal.