The good news is that Sebastian Cossa and Trey Augustine could evolve into a dynamic duo if general manager Steve Yzerman and the Detroit Red Wings give the youngsters time. But goaltender is still one of the positions Yzerman can afford to address this summer, and with so many netminders who can go in the middle rounds of the 2024 NHL Draft, there is no reason an executive with eight draft picks shouldn’t go for at least one.
Plus, goaltender is such a luxury; a general manager like Yzerman should know the value another one in the system would bring, even if their ceiling behind talents like Cossa and Augustine is nothing more than insurance. But in that case, Yzerman would have zero qualms trading one of three - the 2024 mystery goaltender in the event they can’t get the best of Cossa and/or Augustine.
Mid-rounds in the 2024 NHL Draft are ideal for Red Wings to take a goalie
Now the question bodes: Which netminders should Yzerman key on this June when it’s the Red Wings turn to pick between Rounds 3 and 5 if they want a good value selection? Today, we’re looking at five goaltenders who may not have ranked as highly as others but could be potential steals, given some quality traits and characteristics.
No, not everyone listed will have ideal size or post stellar performances, even with talented teams in front of them. But the players listed in the following slides brim with potential, and long-term development could take them to that high-end AHL ceiling or better.
This is what Yzerman must keep in mind if he has a goaltender or two on his shortlist, and he should, given the so-so organizational depth. So let’s meet these five players who could end up in the system, starting with one who spent the 2023-24 season in the USHL.