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Upper Deck's Young Guns has been the NHL's rookie proving ground since 1989, and Dylan Cozens' #495 from the 2020-21 Series 2 set is a testament to that—spotlighting the Sabres' 2019 #7 pick during his inaugural pro season. Graded PSA 9 Mint, this slabbed gem offers near-elite condition at an entry-level price, capturing Cozens at the start of his Buffalo journey amid the team's youth movement. For Sabres faithful, WHL alumni chasers, or investors targeting contract-secured forwards, this card is a resilient pick: post-dip stability with rebound potential as Cozens eyes a 2025-26 bounce-back. Here's the rundown as of October 7, 2025.

Card Description

• Player & Design: Showcases Dylan Cozens, the 6'3", 207-lb Whitehorse, Yukon native with a powerful stride and two-way vision, in a crisp action pose—mid-forecheck in Buffalo's royal blue and gold, stick ready to battle. The front delivers Young Guns' timeless punch: white borders, bold Sabres logo, gold-foil rookie badge, and a cool blue gradient evoking rink ice. At 2.5" x 3.5", card #495 from Series 2 feels like a hobby staple, with the back unpacking his WHL dominance (e.g., 108 points in 64 games with Lethbridge, 2018-19) and draft hype as a top-line center. No autos or extras—just essential rookie spark from a set that launched Lafrenière and Byfield.
• Condition & Grading: Encapsulated in a PSA 9 Mint slab, the hobby's Mint hallmark: 65/35 centering, sharp corners with minimal touch, pristine edges, and a glossy surface free of print flaws or scratches—leaps beyond raw copies that wear from packs. 
• Rarity & Parallels: From Series 2's solid print run, base #495 is steady, but high-grades like this shine amid demand. Parallels (e.g., Clear Cut /100, $50+; Silver Foil /99, $80+) build rainbows, making the base PSA 9 a foundation—pairs with Cozens' SP Authentic Future Watch auto (/999) for a Sabres center arc.

Why Buy This Card for Your Collection?

• Player Legacy on Ice: Cozens, "The Workhorse from Whitehorse," is Buffalo's locked-in pivot—422 NHL games through 2023-24 with 80 goals, 128 assists, and 208 points (+15 rating), evolving from 2022-23 breakout (33G-31A-64P in 81GP) to a 2023-24 dip (18G-29A-47P in 81GP, shooting % down to 9.3%). At 24 (birthday Feb. 9), his size, faceoff wins (51% career), and PP contributions (21 points in '22-23) make him Tage Thompson's ideal complement, centering lines with Peterka and Quinn. A 7-year, $49.7M extension ($7.1M AAV) through 2029-30 seals his Sabres future, with WHL roots (Lethbridge captain) and Worlds silver (2021) adding Canadian grit. Projections for 2024-25 eye 25-30 goals and 55-60 points if he rebounds from the slump, anchoring Buffalo's wildcard hunt.
• Investment Upside: Young Guns PSA 9s are value engines, up 10-15% YOY for core forwards like Cozens. His extension provides floor stability, signaling 1.5-2x potential by 2027 (20-goal bounce? Playoff push?), especially as Buffalo contends. PSA's resale ease supports flips or upgrades, a dip-buy vs. flashier prospects like Bedard.
• Collection Fit: A staple for Sabres rebuild PCs, Yukon/Canadian centers sets (with Thompson or Mittelstadt), or 2020-21 Young Guns completists (~$150 NM base). Its Mint slab fits binders, frames, or registries—newbies snag a contract-secured rookie cheap; vets layer it into core builds in a forward-rich market.
• Market Snapshot: Demand holds with Cozens' healthy camp and Sabres' optimism—no panic, just extension-backed traction.

Pick up this PSA 9 Mint Cozens #495 and you're betting on Buffalo's engine—a slabbed rookie with size, skill, and long-term Sabres ink. Rebound loading! 🦬