The Detroit Red Wings are going to be in the headlines plenty this offseason. As if another offseason with the focus on them missing out on the playoffs for the 10th consecutive year wasn't enough, they now have to deal with talk about captain Dylan Larkin requesting a trade from the team. Larkin reportedly wants out of Detroit due to the aforementioned playoff drought and a deteriorating relationship with general manager Steve Yzerman.
The Larkin trade might take a while before it transpires, due to his lackluster trade wishlist and Yzerman wanting to get as much value back as possible. One player who has been the subject of trade rumors in recent days was goaltender Sebastian Cossa. That all started once NHL insider Frank Seravalli revealed during an appearance on the Canucks Central podcast that Cossa's time in Detroit was "ending."
Now, there is more smoke to the fire.
Multiple insiders discuss chances Red Wings trade away Sebastian Cossa
The one team that has been heavily linked to a Cossa trade is the Edmonton Oilers. While they are currently trying to find a new head coach, which looks to be former Red Wings coach Mike Babcock, they need to address their goaltending situation. The trade for Tristan Jarry backfired tremendously. With the lackluster goaltending market, taking a chance on Cossa as a potential high upside player could be worthwhile.
However, Sportsnet NHL insider Elliotte Friedman revealed during an appearance on The FAN Hockey Show on Tuesday that the rumors surrounding Cossa and the Oilers are not true.
"There's all these Cossa rumors going around right now. Like, there's people...on social media saying that there's a side with with Cossa and Detroit. I don't think that's true," said Friedman. "Now, I think Edmonton has some interested, and maybe it does happen, but this morning, I was told it's nowhere near as far along as it's being portrayed."
While there's a chance it could happen this offseason, Cossa to the Oilers does not sound like it's a done deal. Now, there's a new team that has entered the fray for Cossa.
ESPN insider Kevin Weekes revealed on Tuesday night that Cossa could be on the move, and that the Utah Mammoth are one of the teams interested in him.
When looking at the Red Wings' roster, there really isn't much room for Cossa, who appeared to have fallen out of favor in Detroit and the AHL. Last offseason, the Red Wings acquired John Gibson from the Anaheim Ducks, and he looked like the goaltender they've been missing in recent years. Meanwhile in the AHL, he put up respectable numbers, recording a 2.33 goals allowed average, a .915 save percentage, and a 26-8-4 record in 39 games played for the Grand Rapids Griffins. Yet once the playoffs rolled around, Cossa didn't play in a single game, as the team instead went with Michael Postava.
The Red Wings have a large surplus of goalie prospects, with Trey Augustine, Postava, Carter Gylander, and Rudy Guimond. There's also the potential the Red Wings bring in a goaltender in a potential Larkin trade like, say, Jesper Wallstedt from the Minnesota Wild. So, there's no room left for Cossa, and the writing appeared to be on the wall once he was benched for Grand Rapids' entire Calder Cup Playoff run.
As of now, Cossa is expected to be traded, with the Oilers and Mammoth being two teams for fans to keep an eye on.
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