NHL News: Connor McDavid’s Oilers reportedly closing in on Patrick Kane’s Red Wings for long-term goaltending solution

The Edmonton Oilers want nothing more than for Connor McDavid to finally put pen to paper on an extension. Preferably before the 2025-26 NHL season gets underway, but as long as he stays the Oilers will take any fashion. On that note, addressing the goaltending department might be a sign well taken by McDavid and his camp. According to reports, Patrick Kane and the Detroit Red Wings might come in handy.

The Oilers can’t be seen as desperate by the rest of the NHL. Obviously, goaltending has been a concerning topic for McDavid and company, but the organization can’t risk losing its leverage. Thus, it has taken a relatively quiet approach during the offseason. Yet to no avail—it might be time to throw that plan out the window.

Stuart Skinner and Calvin Pickard are just not cutting it. It’s a tough call on Edmonton’s part, though. The current tandem has proven good enough to reach the Stanley Cup Final in consecutive years, yet it’s missing that distinctive touch. Or, perhaps, the Florida Panthers are simply the better team in the NHL. That might be a pill too tough to swallow, and the Oilers could be better off making tweaks in net.

Edmonton show interest in Detroit’s goalies

As reported around the NHL, the Oilers have knocked on several doors in their pursuit of netminders. After much knocking, one organization might be seen as the most suitable option: the Red Wings. However, McDavid and Edmonton are seemingly not interested in goalies currently playing with Kane in Detroit. Instead, the Oilers have shown interest in two goaltenders in the system—namely, Trey Augustine and Sebastian Cossa.

“The Oilers are looking a bit more long-term. I was told they contacted Detroit. I believe the first person they asked about was Trey Augustine and that was just a non-starter,” insider Cam Robinson said on the Sekeres and Price podcast.

“Steve Yzerman and company really love that kid. But the Red Wings have a 6’6”, former first-rounder in Sebastian Cossa sitting there. The fact the Red Wings have Augustine, allows Cossa to potentially be an expendable chip.”

In no rush to move him

It took a while but the Red Wings might finally be set in the goaltending position. After trading for Josh Gibson, Kane’s Detroit will most probably roll with the former Ducks’ goalie and Cam Talbot in the tandem. Either one of Augustine and Cossa would bolster the pool for the future. But the latter could be dealt as Detroit could face a bit of an overcrowding in the goaltenders’ room.

“There’s no pinch point for Detroit, though,” Robinson explained. “The Red Wings don’t have to move this guy, he’s still young, and they have his rights for years. But if Edmonton does want to get somebody they can tag as their ‘goalie of the future’, that’s only a year or two away, he’d be a great bet to go on.”

Speak now or forever hold your peace

The ball is in Edmonton’s court now. If the Oilers are serious about addressing the goaltending situation and calming the anxiety brewing in town, the move makes a lot of sense. Detroit won’t be selling its former 15th overall pick in 2021 around the NHL just yet.

Moreover, the price may never be as low as it is for Edmonton now; if Cossa puts on another strong season in the AHL, that window might shut forever. Cossa is familiar with the city, too. The 22-year-old played for the Edmonton Oil Kings in the WHL from 2019 to 2022.

As for Augustine, McDavid and company really shouldn’t hold their breath— the two-time World Juniors champion American goalie is most surely in for the long haul in Motor City. The Oilers would most likely be set in the crease for McDavid’s entire career if they somehow acquired Augustine. But guess what? So would the Red Wings, and it would take a price the Oilers won’t be willing to pay—nor even listen to—to get the 20-year-old goalie.