The Detroit Red Wings have one of the best problems in the NHL: they've got a stellar goaltending pipeline. Sebastian Cossa is regarded as the top goalie prospect in the NHL. Trey Augustine just capped off an award-winning campaign with Michigan State University. Michal Postava has all but taken over the AHL with his starts in Grand Rapids. Even Rudy Guimond broke QMJHL records this season with an 8-1-0 playoff run.
With that said, sooner or later, there has to be an odd one out. One team in the Western Conference, per NHL reporter Bob Stauffer, is targeting a team that can only be the Red Wings. Stauffer visited the 100% Hockey podcast to discuss where things went wrong with the Edmonton Oilers and what they can do from here.
Stauffer began by suggesting that the Oilers will keep Tristian Jarry, but will move on from Connor Ingram as the backup. He believes the Oilers will trade for a prospect goaltender during the offseason. “There’s one club in the East that’s got four pretty good goaltenders in their system right now," Stauffer said. "So we’ll see what happens here carrying forward.”
Red Wings, Oilers have history
This isn't the first time the Red Wings and Oilers have been brought up in goaltending trade talks. Last offseason, Elite Prospects insider Cam Robinson linked the Oilers and Sebastian Cossa. "I've heard that they're looking a little more long term, and their field of vision is a little wider here," Robinson said. "I've been told they've contacted Detroit, I believe the first person they asked about was Trey Augustine and think it was just a non-starter. Steve Yzerman and company really love that kid, and they should."
This season, the Oilers posted some of the worst goaltending numbers in the NHL. They'll be more than desperate to secure some extra help in order to keep Connor McDavid happy. This has been a recurring problem for the Oilers, who have tried everything from Jack Campbell to Stuart Skinner in order to find a solution.
The Oilers are in win now mode. They need all the help they can get. With that said, there's a chance for Red Wings general manager Steve Yzerman to secure quite the return on one of his goaltending prospects.
What the Oilers may pay for a Red Wings goaltender
The problem the Oilers have is that they don't possess a lot of prospect capital. The Athletic ranked the Oilers' pool 30th out of 32 teams. Additionally, they don't have a first round pick for the next two seasons. What, then, could they offer the Red Wings that Detroit would accept?
It's hard to imagine they'll go for a trade for Ike Howard, who spent all offseason deciding on which team he'd like to play for only to sign with the Oilers. Quinn Hutson could be an intriguing get at wing if he pans out. But, at this point in the rebuild, the Red Wings have a glut of middle-six wingers. Perhaps the Red Wings could ask for their 2028 or 2029 first round pick, but, even then, would it be worth moving on from one of the goaltenders?
It's hard to see the benefit the Red Wings get from their end, should they decide to move on from one of Cossa, Postava, Augustine or Guimond.
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