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Detroit Red Wings: to trade for or not to trade for Jeremy Swayman

Diving into the possibility of the Detroit Red Wings trading with the Boston Bruins for Jeremy Swayman. Taking a look at why it might (and might not) work.

By Kaitlyn Glaza |
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Rumors swirl as the Boston Bruins and Jeremy Swayman saga marches on, and many rumors involve the Detroit Red Wings as a possible dance partner.

The Boston Bruins and their star goaltender, Swayman, haven’t inked a contract as the regular season is almost upon us. It’s not a position that any team or player wants to find themselves in, but here they are.

Meanwhile, a second-line center, number-one defenseman, and number-one starter in net are three positions that have plagued the Detroit Red Wings for years.

The lack of a top goaltender may be the driving force behind the Detroit Red Wings and Swayman rumors.  We know it’s not because general manager, Steve Yzerman, has shared anything, he’s a steel trap. Of course, it could be a scare tactic by the Boston Bruins to get Swayman to sign a new deal. The threat of backstopping the Detroit Red Wings is a scary thought.

We’ve seen countless careers, especially goaltenders, come to die in the Motor City, only for their careers to revive elsewhere (or the player retires) except for Jonathan Bernier. Although, his career was never quite the same after his stop in Detroit, Michigan.

The Detroit Red Wings tend to find a goaltender through trade (except for Alex Lyon; poor fella came willingly), so that may be another reason the Detroit Red Wings have been linked to the Boston Bruins and Swayman. They also have the assets to send back to the Boston Bruins (few teams have that luxury).

One of the driving forces behind these swirling rumors includes the following:

Detroit Red Wings: To trade for or not to trade for Jeremy Swayman?

While I like the idea of having a goaltender like Swayman join the Detroit Red Wings, I’m apprehensive about the cost of acquiring him. 

The Boston Bruins already traded away one of their prime goaltenders, Linus Ullmark. It wasn’t a terrible trade, especially for the Ottawa Senators, who locked up a star goaltender for years to come. It’s likely the next trade, if it happens for Swayman, won’t come so easily.

At the same time, the Detroit Red Wings have meticulously crafted their pipeline. It would sting to trade any of those prospects away. At the same time, development in prospects is far from a science. It’s more of an art and luck if things work out perfectly (or even well). Having an opportunity to acquire an NHL-proven talent like Swayman doesn’t come around often.

Pipeline in net for the Detroit Red Wings

Before we dive into the possibility of trading for Swayman, I think it’s important to understand the pipeline in net for the Detroit Red Wings.

While I fancy myself an avid prospect watcher (and defender), I think it’s important to reacquaint myself with the possible future goalers in our system.

Here’s the list from likeliest to play for the Detroit Red Wings full-time to not (love all the players, and hope they all do well):

Sebastian Cossa
Trey Augustine
Carter Gylander

Jan Bednář (technically not a prospect anymore, but has the potential to remain within the organization as part of the Toledo Walleye and Grand Rapids Griffins with a long shot of playing for the Detroit Red Wings—I’m rooting for the latter for Bednář)

The Detroit Red Wings seem to have full confidence in Sebastian Cossa and Trey Augustine. 

Sebastian Cossa

In the 2021 National Hockey League (NHL) Entry Level Draft, the Detroit Red Wings traded up to select Cossa. A highly-touted, bordering-on cocky goaltender with a sharp tongue received a dose of humble pie in his first year as a professional ice hockey player.



Instead of spending the majority of his time with the Grand Rapids Griffins of the American Hockey League (AHL) in 2022-2023, he spent most of his year in the ECHL, the lower division, with the Toledo Walleye. 

Although many fans and public scouts jumped off the Cossa hype train, they might have done so prematurely. 

Cossa hadn’t faced as much adversity on the ice as he did that season but seemed to have learned a lot. 

His junior hockey league team in prior seasons, the Edmonton Oil Kings, was a powerhouse during his tenure. Meanwhile, the Grand Rapids Griffins he joined were not. They weren’t good by any measure.

I fully blame the coaching staff during that season. People can argue all they want about personnel issues, but when a team boasts Simon Edvinsson, Albert Johansson, and Pontus Andreasson, even if it was their first year in North America (and only for Andreasson, even though he deserved a better fate), they should have played better.

When I ventured to Grand Rapids, Michigan, that season, I can’t tell you how confused players looked on the ice. I get the ice is smaller, systems are different, and those are just the adjustments needed on the ice (let alone all the cultural changes players went through). However, players seemed so lost, not knowing which way to look, where to stand, or what they should be doing. 

Even Edvinsson looked like he had forgotten how to play ice hockey. It was baffling in the worst ways imaginable. 

No goalie would be able to backstop that team well, especially a kid turning pro. 

When Cossa moved to the Toledo Walleye under Dan Watson, who at the time was the head coach of the Toledo Walleye but was promoted to the Grand Rapids Griffins for the 2023-24 season, he changed completely.  It’s interesting what a decent system and someone like Watson can do with a player.

For people who demand stats to prove a point, here is the difference in Cossa’s stats between the Grand Rapids Griffins and Toledo Walleye for the 2022-23 season per EliteProspects.com:

Games Played: 3 Goals Against Average (GAA): 5.57 Save % (SV%): .783 W-L-T: 1-1-0
Games Played: 46 GAA: 2.56 SV%: .913 W-L-T: 26-16-1 Post Season Games Played: 7 GAA: 2.32 SV%: .917 W-L-T:  5-2-0

This season, people might see Cossa as rebounding in the AHL, as he’s sported the following stat line:

Games Played: 40 GAA: 2.41 SV%: .913 W-L-T: 22-9-9 Post Season Games Played: 9 GAA: 2.72 SV%: .900 W-L-T:  5-4-0

I think it’s a reflection of his growth as an individual, the team, and an improvement on the coaching staff (both the head coach as well as the rest of it).

In this most recent regular season, Cossa performed better in the AHL but the ECHL playoff stats were slightly better.

From my viewings of the Grand Rapids Griffins, Cossa gave his team a chance to win most nights. Even on the nights that were a bit off, the skaters in front of him were as much to blame for the goals against as Cossa was—this was especially true in the playoff run. 

At points during his 2023-24 campaign, Cossa set records for the Grand Rapids Griffins:

Although Cossa hasn’t played a regular season game in the NHL, the Detroit Red Wings organization seems fully committed to Cossa. In the preseason, he hasn’t started an NHL game, but he has played full periods and partial games.

The Detroit Red Wings will take their time with Cossa, but it seems sooner than later that Cossa will make the jump to the NHL (at first to wet his whistle, then play as a regular—kind of like Edvinsson and how he was brought up).

From all my viewings of prospects in the system, I think Edvinsson, Cossa, and Axel Sandin-Pellikka have the highest ceilings. Michael Brandsegg-Nygård and Nate Danielson might all join that conversation soon, but only Edvinsson, Cossa, and Sandin-Pellikka are players that I can confidently say can reach a franchise tier at this time.

One of my favorite qualities of Cossa is the way he plays. He acts more like a fourth defender, where he anticipates play rather than reacting to the plays made before him. He’s fantastic at reading plays to reduce angles against, cutting off plays before they can become lethal within the zone, and is great at breaking the puck out of his own zone. Seriously, his passes out of the zone are better than some defensemen on both the Grand Rapids Griffins and Detroit Red Wings. 

He’s not just a goaltender but a valuable member of the defensive core.

For all the advanced plays he makes, Cossa doesn’t get caught outside of his crease too often, though there are times he gets a little too out there. His quick feet (he’s an effective skater) and athleticism help him recover. 



When he first started within the Detroit Red Wings organization, there were lots of flailing limbs, but Cossa seems much more put-together and collected. It’s very refreshing and soothing from the flopping around. He’s learned where his body parts are (for the most part) and knows where he wants them to go. For a big man, it’s important.

Rather than his size, athleticism, or reaction to play that people rave about, though, it’s his inner drive that will set him apart from his fellow goaltenders. 

Cossa wants to win as badly as any player that I have watched. He needs to win. Much like Lucas Raymond, Marco Kasper, and Dylan Larkin, Cossa wants to beat his opponent. It’s hard to articulate just how competitive Cossa is in words, but the best way to describe him is that he’s a monster. Purely and simply. 

Trey Augustine

Cossa’s contemporary in the Detroit Red Wings organization is Augustine.

Augustine has yet to play professional games, but he has played against men in the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) this past summer along with current Detroit Red Wings goaltender Lyon (before he was injured) and played for Detroit Red Wings head coach Derek Lalonde. 

At just 19 years of age, Augustine has made a name for himself:

NCAA Division I Games Played: 35 GAA: 2.96 SV%: .915 W-L-T: 23-9-2
IIHF Men’s World Championship Games Played: 4 GAA: 1.89 SV%: .929 W-L-T: 2-2-0
IIHF Men’s Under 20 World Championship Games Played: 4 GAA: 1.75 SV%: .936 W-L-T: 4-0-0

Augustine might not have played many games in the IIHF Men’s tournaments, but he made the most of his appearances, including a gold medal with the under 20 team.

In his play with the Michigan State Spartans, Augustine also saw success. 

Additionally, he earned an award for his play for the Michigan State Spartans:

According to the USA Hockey National Team Development Program (NTDP) website, Augustine:

Finished second in NTDP history for best single season save percentage (.926/2022-23)
USA Hockey NTDP website

In almost every way, Augustine is the opposite of Cossa. Cossa stands at 6’6” and Augustine at 6’1” tall. 

Where Cossa is gangly, wild, and offbeat, Augustine is compact, methodical, and reserved. Rarely does he scramble or look like he’s out of sorts.

However, there is one aspect of the game they both have a similarity—their compete. Although they demonstrate this trait differently, they both want to win badly. 

It’s a great tandem in the making for the Detroit Red Wings.

So the biggest question is: should the Detroit Red Wings wait for these players to develop? The likeliest answer is probably.

It’s not as sexy as a trade (or as for sure as having Swayman on the NHL team), but these two goaltenders look really, really good.

Current state of the Detroit Red Wings

I know, it’s been far too long since playoffs were in Hockeytown. 

Upsetting to downright disheartening watching the playoff hopes die. In some ways, I’m not sure which is more painful—the 2019-20 season or last season.

Having no chance of playoffs in February or losing because of the silliest tiebreaker in history after one of the most impossible feats in the final game of the season?

Both are equally painful at any given time for me.

Having an NHL-proven goaltender (or two, given that we have arguably two to three in the system already—not even counting Cossa or Augustine since they are not NHL-proven) would surely increase the likelihood of making the playoffs. In the short term.

At the age of 25, Swayman isn’t young, but he’s not old either. For a league that is set on getting younger and faster, goaltenders seem to be an outlier. A relatively healthy goaltender can last well into his 30s, whereas very few skaters have managed to do so in recent years. 

If he maintains even a portion of his high value for five to eight seasons, he’s worth the investment.

It would likely be at the cost of at least one of our current goaltenders and possibly a young one as well. 

Although the Ullmark deal was reasonable (a goalie with 25% retention, a first-round pick, and an NHL-caliber center that likely plays within the bottom six), Swayman would likely be a much steeper price. For one, Swayman received more starts in net, though both goaltenders were great last season.  Two, the Boston Bruins would seek more insurance given they would lose out on both of their star goaltenders (with the Ullmark trade the Boston Bruins likely planned on re-signing Swayman, so things weren’t as high stakes for the team).

In the case of the Swayman, it would demand at least a first-round pick, a proven NHL-level goaltender, and likely a young player at a position of need.  These details, of course, would be a starting point.

The Detroit Red Wings have been stingy with trading their first-round draft picks. They still have their 2025 and 2026 first-round picks, though, so it is doable.

In terms of in net, the Detroit Red Wings went shopping in free agency and arguably over-signed goaltenders. They currently have these goaltenders within the Detroit Red Wings system (via Puckpedia):

Cam Talbot = $2.5 million, 1 year remaining
Alex Lyon = $900k, last year
Ville Husso = $4.75 million, last year
Jack Campbell = $775k, last year
Sebastian Cossa = $863,334, 1 year remaining
Carter Gylander = $855k, 1 year remaining
Gage Alexander = $810k, last year

Likely, Jack Campbell is a depth signing and heading to the Grand Rapids Griffins. Carter Gylander and Gage Alexander are likely depth pieces as well to help the Grand Rapids Griffins and Toledo Walleye with depth. 

Cossa is a piece that comes into play, as does the un-signed Augustine. Of course, the Boston Bruins might kick tires with the young goaltenders, but the Boston Bruins are still in the win-now phase it seems. Until they prove otherwise on the ice, I suspect they want NHL-proven players rather than prospects (no matter how exciting they might be).

The remaining three goaltenders should draw some attention.

There are positives and drawbacks to each. 

For Ville Husso and Lyon, the one year remaining should draw interest. 

Husso’s price tag and injury history might scare teams away, but the Detroit Red Wings might be able to retain salary as it doesn’t appear there are any on the books for 2024-25. Keep in mind that teams may only retain up to three players’ salary, teams can only retain up to 50% of a player’s salary (there are other conditions, but we won’t get too technical), and that the Detroit Red Wings don’t have an abundance of cap space this season (or the next few seasons), so cap space will be important.  Since the contract ends this season and is already figured into the cap space, the Detroit Red Wings may be willing to retain up to 50% of the contract.

If I’m Yzerman, I might try sending Husso. Then again, Husso showed promise in his preseason starts and was on fire in the game against Sidney Crosby and his Pittsburgh Penguins.

I could see the Boston Bruins preferring Husso’s history based on the number of games played, but I’d have to think they’d ask for Lyon.

Lyon is peanuts in a small salary cap world and exceeded expectations for both the Detroit Red Wings and Florida Panthers. He’s okay taking a backseat role or stepping up as a starter (though he does best when he gets an opportunity to rest regularly).

There is also Cam Talbot, who hasn’t played a regular season for the Detroit Red Wings. The second year might not be ideal as teams seem to like flexibility with the salary cap, but his tenure in the league may draw the most attention from the Boston Bruins. Since the $2.5 million cap hit would carry into next season, I’m not sure that Yzerman would be keen on retaining salary. If he did, it likely wouldn’t be more than 25% of the contract.

None of these scenarios are perfect for the Boston Bruins or Detroit Red Wings, but I’m not sure that the Boston Bruins have a better pool of goaltenders to choose from in the NHL.

Other pieces Detroit Red Wings has available

As for the possible young players, there are quite a few players to choose from within the Detroit Red Wings team and its organization as a whole. 

The Detroit Red Wings have a robust group of defensemen and a few forwards who might appeal to the Boston Bruins. 



For Detroit Red Wings fans, they always want to get rid of Jonatan Berggren for their personal reasons (vendettas), but I can’t imagine the Boston Bruins would want Berggren. Although he had success in the AHL, he’s still unproven at the NHL level and doesn’t seem to fit the Boston Bruins style, but I’d be remiss not to bring him up.

A player who, at least stylistically, might fit the bill would be someone like Michael Rasmussen. A winger who vacations at center from time to time might have too high of a price tag at $3.2 million for four years, but Rasmussen has shown his worth at the NHL level when not injured. 

At a reduced rate, the Detroit Red Wings have Joseph Veleno, who is signed for two years at $2.275 million. It’s still a steep rate, but half the years and almost half the cost may draw attention. the fact that Veleno is more effective at center may be of interest to the Boston Bruins.

Tyler Motte is a depth piece and was a free agent signing, so I don’t think there’s much interest to be had by the Boston Bruins, but a one-year $800k contract for the style of game he plays could intrigue the Boston Bruins.

On the backend, I would love to send a guy like Ben Chiarot (two years remaining at $4.75 million) or Jeff Petry (last year, just over $2.34 remaining on his contract), but I don’t think the Boston Bruins will be buying what I’m selling.

Players out of the question for the Detroit Red Wings to trade would be: 

Dylan Larkin
Moritz Seider
Lucas Raymond
Simon Edvinsson

Maybe a guy like Olli Määttä may draw intrigue, he’s in the last season of his $3 million contract, but I’m not sure there would be value added from the Boston Bruins perspective. A great, beloved player who has won the Stanley Cup is great, but I’m not sure that he checks the boxes the Boston Bruins need.

It’s possible that with this trade leaving a bigger hole in the net they want insurance, so they may ask/demand Augustine or Cossa in the deal. I would be apprehensive to send either to the Boston Bruins.

If I had to pick one, I would prefer Augustine, but I’m sure the Boston Bruins would prefer Cossa (who is likely closer to NHL-ready).

There are prospects on the backend that the Boston Bruins might be interested in, like the sassy Albert Johansson or William Wallinder. I’m not sure how much either moves the proverbial trade needle, though.

In short, neither team nor fanbase would be happy with this type of trade, but that seems to be the case with a trade. 

Everybody’s a little unhappy, but okay with the outcome.

Unless you’re a Detroit Red Wings fan. We think Yzerman fleeces another team almost every trade, then two to three seasons later we realize it wasn’t as great of a trade as we had hoped. 

Although, if Cossa makes it (as I anticipate he will), the Anthony Mantha trade will be all worth it (the pick that we received was in exchange for Mantha was used, in part, to select Cossa).

I would reckon the trade would need to be something like this for Swayman and I don’t think there would be a sign and trade involved (I think it would just be the rights to Swayman):

To Detroit: Jeremy Swayman, Fabian Lysell (don’t at me, I’ve always wanted him in the Detroit Red Wings system, he’s a winger that shoots right for what it’s worth)

To Boston: 2025 first-round pick, Joseph Veleno, Cam Talbot (20% salary retained), Trey Augustine

For my tastes, it’s a bit rich. 

It wouldn’t set the Detroit Red Wings back, but I’m not sure that there is enough value going back to the Boston Bruins (I’m sure people will let me know how wrong I am both ways, and that’s cool—just please be respectful and no discussion of politics, please). 

Having a core of Dylan Larkin, Lucas Raymond, Moritz Seider, and Swayman would be something that dreams are made of.

For the Boston Bruins, it doesn’t make sense to trade Swayman, so they are likely to sign him in the next few days. After the poor display by the Boston Bruins, if I’m Swayman, I wouldn’t want to stick around:

What do you think?  If the Detroit Red Wings trade for Swayman, what might it take? 

Thank you to PuckPedia for making the contract information easy to find! All the above contract details were pulled from this website:

https://puckpedia.com/team/detroit-red-wings

Next. 102. Marco Kasper looks ready to make the jump to the Detroit Red Wings. dark

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