The Edmonton Oilers are running out of time to find stability in goal, and the pressure to fix the position is at its peak. After a season in which inconsistency in net was always evident, the organization appears ready to cast a wide net in search of answers.
In that plan of action, one young Detroit Red Wings goalie prospect has become a frequent topic in league circles, with speculation surrounding his future on the rise. That discussion gained even more traction after an NHL insider suggested his days in Detroit are numbered.
Sebastian Cossa Likely Leaving Detroit as Oilers Monitor Market
Sebastian Cossa has been connected to the Oilers in trade rumors for weeks, but the latest reporting indicates the bigger development may be Detroit’s willingness to move him.
Speaking on Canucks Central, NHL insider Frank Seravalli delivered one of the clearest updates yet on Cossa’s future with the Red Wings.
“That’s ending, he’s not coming back to Detroit,” Seravalli said while discussing the 23-year-old goaltender’s situation.
This statement carries significance because Cossa has emerged as one of the most intriguing young goaltenders available on the market. Selected 15th overall in the 2021 NHL Draft, he has spent the last several years developing within Detroit’s system and now enters restricted free agency after completing his entry-level contract.
The timing could prove important for both organizations.
For Edmonton, upgrading the goaltending position has become one of the front office’s most pressing objectives. The Oilers endured major struggles in net during the 2025-26 season, finishing near the bottom of the league in save percentage. Their gamble on Tristan Jarry failed to produce the desired results, leaving even more uncertainty heading into a critical offseason.
Connor Ingram showed flashes of dependability but is nearing unrestricted free agency, while Calvin Pickard was unable to establish himself as a consistent solution. This reality has forced Edmonton to evaluate every possible avenue as it looks to provide Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl with a steadier foundation behind them.
Cossa offers several qualities that naturally appeal to a team in Edmonton’s position.
He recorded a .915 save percentage with the Grand Rapids Griffins this season and remains young enough to project as a long-term answer in goal. Just as importantly, he would arrive on a cost-controlled contract as a restricted free agent, a valuable advantage for an Oilers team working within tight salary-cap constraints.
Meanwhile, Detroit’s circumstances appear to be fueling the trade chatter.
Cossa is approaching a stage where assigning him back to the American Hockey League would become increasingly complicated because of waiver rules. At the same time, the Red Wings have multiple goaltenders competing for opportunities within their organizational depth chart.
This situation has created a realistic path where Detroit could decide that maximizing Cossa’s trade value now makes more sense than navigating a difficult roster decision later.
The overall picture is becoming easier to read. While Edmonton remains one of several teams linked to Cossa, the strongest takeaway from recent reporting is that Detroit appears increasingly open to moving him.
Whether the Oilers ultimately land the highly regarded prospect remains to be seen, but Seravalli’s comments suggest Cossa’s next chapter may begin somewhere other than Detroit.
