Oilers Linked To Red Wings Goalie Prospect For Long-Term Solution

Stan Bowman and the Edmonton Oilers don't seem to have stopped the goalie search this summer as the team looks to upgrade, not just for right now, but the future as well. Whether it be free agents, established goalies who are potential trade candidates, or even near NHL-ready prospects, the Oilers are doing their research.

That has taken them to the Detroit Red Wings as they have two high-end goalie prospects in their system while two veteran goalies are signed and will take up the two NHL spots next season.

Cam Robinson said, "They (Oilers) are looking a little more long term. I was told they've contacted Detroit. I believe the first person they asked about was Trey Augustine...that was a non-starter. They have Sebastian Cossa sitting right there."

Cossa was the Red Wings' first-round pick in 2021, being taken 15th overall. He played one game in the NHL last season, the first in his career. I think it may be a stretch to think he can come in and play 30 games in the NHL next season if the Oilers were to trade for him, but more games and jumping in as the backup is a possibility. Cossa has done well in the AHL for the Grand Rapids Griffins the past two seasons, playing 40+ games and posting a .911 SV% or better.

Cossa is 22, turning 23 next season. It is a good age to be introduced to NHL action. He won't be the saviour the Oilers need in net next season, but he is absolutely a long-term solution and will get better as he develops at the NHL level. There could still be short-term solutions out there if the Oilers make this trade, but this is one to allow them to have sustained success and much less to worry about in net every single season. It's tough to think any other team would have gone to back-to-back Stanley Cup Finals with a tandem of Stuart Skinner and Calvin Pickard posting the numbers they did.

Augustine is a younger option that the Red Wings have, but it appears as though they think more highly of him and see him as their future starter. That does mean it makes sense if Cossa is moved sooner rather than later, even if Augustine doesn't have a contract yet. He is also drafted fairly high and the 20-year-old posted a .924 SV% in university last season as well as consecutive strong performances at the World Juniors and World Championships.

The Oilers made the wrong decision when they moved down to draft Xavier Bourgault instead of taking Jesper Wallstedt in the first round a few years ago. They wouldn't have this long-term problem in net because Wallstedt would nearly be ready, having played NHL games last season. But this is where Edmonton is and Bowman appears to know what the best direction for the Oilers is as his moves have been good so far.