Should The Oilers Trade For Sebastian Cossa?

This is a controversial opinion I don’t think everyone is ready to discuss, but here goes. The Edmonton Oilers have a goaltending problem. I know, I was also shocked when I learned that. We don’t know whether or not Connor Ingram will re-sign this summer, and we’re praying for a miracle Tristan Jarry trade. One goalie made his way to Oil Country’s rumor mill last week.

23-year-old Sebastian Cossa was drafted 15th overall by the Detroit Red Wings in 2021. The Hamilton, Ontario native isn’t unfamiliar with the Alberta capital, as he played three WHL seasons for the Edmonton Oil Kings and won the Ed Chynoweth Cup with them in 2022. His career regular season stats with the Oil Kings were 71-16-6 with a 2.12 GAA and .927 SV%. In 19 WHL Playoff games, he went 16-3 with a 1.93 GAA and .919 SV%. He’s been solid for the AHL’s Grand Rapids Griffins as well. According to Frank Seravalli, the cost to get him would be either a second round pick or a veteran roster player.

If the reason for getting Cossa is to strengthen Edmonton’s prospect pool until he matures into their #1 starter’s role in net, I’m 100% for that. But if it turns into another Campbell/Skinner debacle, where the expensive partner we expected to be the #1 can’t make saves, and the inexperienced partner has to save their regular season, I’m 0% for that. The latter is why I wasn’t as excited as other Oilers fans about this news. It really shouldn’t be the plan when next season, as well as this summer and next summer, are the most important times in the franchise’s history. Given where the Oilers are right now, I’d rather not put more pressure on a guy who only has one NHL game under his belt.

Maybe you like the Edmonton connection from his junior playing days. I really liked the Griffin Reinhart trade back in 2015 for that reason. But Reinhart didn’t pan out, and a first round pick that was moved for him turned into Mathew Barzal. Again, I like the idea of just having Cossa as a good prospect. And since Cam Talbot is a UFA this summer, maybe Detroit wouldn’t mind Jarry in the potential trade, wishful thinking. But he shouldn’t be Stan Bowman’s top goalie target; the Oilers still need someone who has a bigger resume and can help them now.

So what do you say? Do you agree or disagree with trading for Sebastian Cossa? Let me know in the comments.