{"id":580105,"date":"2026-05-21T07:03:20","date_gmt":"2026-05-21T07:03:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/580105\/"},"modified":"2026-05-21T07:03:20","modified_gmt":"2026-05-21T07:03:20","slug":"red-wings-should-only-trade-sebastian-cossa-for-perfect-offer-the-hockey-writers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/580105\/","title":{"rendered":"Red Wings Should Only Trade Sebastian Cossa for \u201cPerfect Offer” – The Hockey Writers –"},"content":{"rendered":"

When the Detroit Red Wings selected Sebastian Cossa<\/a> in the first round of the 2021 NHL Draft, he was immediately anointed as the franchise\u2019s goalie of the future. Five years later, he has only appeared in one NHL game.<\/p>\n

I bring this up because we\u2019ve reached a decision point: Detroit either needs to promote Cossa to the NHL for 2026-27 or trade him \u2013 he\u2019ll require waivers to be assigned to the AHL next season and there\u2019s zero chance he passes through unclaimed. It\u2019s now or never for the Red Wings\u2019 top goalie prospect.<\/p>\n

Red Wings Need to Keep Sebastian Cossa<\/p>\n

On the surface, I understand the logic in throwing Cossa\u2019s name out there as a trade chip. For one, Michal Postava outplayed the former first-round pick down the stretch and earned the right<\/a> to start all of Grand Rapids\u2019 playoff games thus far. His stellar postseason play has certainly validated the decision.<\/p>\n

So with Postava ascending and Trey Augustine<\/a> now in the professional ranks, the Red Wings have an outstanding trio of young netminders pushing for ice time. Fellow prospects Michal Pradel and Rudy Guimond could make some noise down the road, too.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"DetroitDetroit Red Wings goaltender Sebastian Cossa tracking the puck during his only NHL game thus far. (Timothy T. Ludwig-Imagn Images)<\/p>\n

In a supply-and-demand hockey economy, Detroit has an opportunity to deal from their surplus in net and acquire players who can help elsewhere \u2013 particularly in their top six. After all, the organization has a few gaps they need to address<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n

And finally, there\u2019s enough depth in this summer\u2019s class of UFA goalies that Detroit could bring in someone on a short-term deal to back up John Gibson. This includes Frederik Andersen, Stuart Skinner, Daniil Tarasov, David Rittich, and Connor Ingram.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Again, I understand the rationale. That said, I would still recommend that the Red Wings hold onto Cossa.<\/p>\n

For one, he\u2019s one of the best goalie prospects out there. A minor slump down the stretch doesn\u2019t change that. Cossa has excelled in the WHL, ECHL, and AHL, and is now ready for NHL responsibilities, where I believe he\u2019ll thrive \u2013 he has bonafide starting goalie upside.<\/p>\n

Why? The Red Wings have thrown a lot of challenges Cossa\u2019s way and he has met or exceeded expectations on all of them.\u00a0<\/p>\n

ECHL? Thrived. Heavy AHL workload? Became a two-time all-star<\/a>. Lost playoff starts to a hotter hand? Stayed ready anyway.<\/p>\n

\u201cCossa\u2019s attitude is he\u2019s working hard,\u201d noted Griffins coach Dan Watson, \u201che\u2019s been fantastic actually. He knows, at some point \u2013 hopefully we go on a long run, and more likely than not that he\u2019s going to get an opportunity, and when he does he\u2019s going to be ready to make the most of it.\u201d (from \u2018Which Red Wings prospects are NHL-ready in Grand Rapids? Projected roles for 2026-27\u2019 \u2013 The Athletic \u2013 5\/18\/26)<\/p>\n

Lastly, the Red Wings know better than most organizations how difficult it is to find stability in net. For years after Jimmy Howard\u2019s decline, Detroit cycled through stopgap options without finding a long-term answer. Trading Cossa now would risk reopening that same problem just as the organization appears close to solving it internally.<\/p>\n

Final Word<\/p>\n

Eventually, the Red Wings will need to trade one of Cossa, Augustine, or Postava to avoid a three-headed monster in net. And if a \u201cperfect offer\u201d\u2014a young, controllable top-line-caliber player\u2014comes along this offseason and it would address a major organizational need, Cossa should certainly be in play \u2013 the net value would be worth it.<\/p>\n

But unless something perfect materializes, the plan should be to keep Cossa and slot him in as Gibson\u2019s backup for 2026-27. He\u2019s ready, and it\u2019s time for the Red Wings to give him a re<\/a>a<\/a>l shot<\/a> to show he truly is the goalie of the future in Hockeytown.<\/p>\n

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