Red Wings trade candidate named as Oilers target

The Detroit Red Wings missed the playoffs for the 10th consecutive season, while the Edmonton Oilers were bounced in the first round. Both teams will make offseason changes after those disappointing efforts in the spring. But The Athletic’s Chris Johnston says they may be perfect for each other. Could the Oilers trade for Red Wings goalie prospect Sebastian Cossa this offseason?

“The top goaltender selected in the 2021 NHL draft found himself struggling to get playing time at the end of the AHL season behind Grand Rapids teammate Michal Postava. With Trey Augustine, another top goaltending prospect, also in the pipeline and Cossa no longer exempt from waivers starting next year, the most prudent play for Detroit may be to deal him for other assets this summer,” Johnston reports.

Trading a first-round pick before he truly gets an NHL shot is not great asset management. But Steve Yzerman has acquired so many potential goalies for the Red Wings, that Cossa’s lack of development can be ignored. That’s where the Oilers come in, per Johnston.

“Cossa is a big, athletic goaltender who spent three seasons with the WHL’s Edmonton Oil Kings and is viewed as a potential trade target for the Oilers.”

Goaltending has been a topic of discussion around the Oilers in recent years. The Tristan Jarry trade did not work out, nor did the Connor Ingram lottery ticket. So, trying a different path in the trade market, albeit with a Red Wings team floundering in mediocrity, could work out.

Cossa was the first goalie taken in the 2021 NHL Draft, ahead of Minnesota Wild starter Jesper Wallstedt. While Wallstedt led the Wild to the playoffs, Cossa was fighting for time in the AHL. With only one game of NHL experience under his belt, this would be a low-risk, high-reward move for Edmonton.

Could the Oilers and Red Wings team up on a goalie trade that changes the Western Conference?