Red Wings prospects Sebastian Cossa and Trey Augustine both could challenge for Detroit's backup job in the 2026-27 season.

The Detroit Red Wings made a massive move this offseason when adding former all-star goaltender John Gibson from the Anaheim Ducks. The move instantly give the Red Wings their best goalie in over a decade and will certainly provide a boost to them this upcoming season. 

Detroit fans weren't expecting a franchise goalie so soon as they had two potential options for the role, developing in the minors. The Red Wings' third goalie next season appears to be high-end prospect Sebastian Cossa as the former first round pick has been the goalie fans have been waiting for. The 22-year-old Hamilton native has played one NHL game so far and resulted in a 6-5 win with 12 saves. 

Cossa has dominated the AHL level with a 21-15-6 record plus a 2.45 goals against average and a .911 save percentage. He is on the verge of making the jump and when 38-year-old Cam Talbot sees his contract expire at the end of this season, he'll likely be replaced by Cossa. That was seemingly the plan until another goalie prospect has come along and forced the issue. 

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The 20-year-old goaltender out of Michigan State University, Trey Augustine has become one of the hottest prospects in the sport. NHL.com recently posted to instagram on the top ten forwards, defenceman and goaltenders under 25 years old with Augustine ranking in the top six. Cossa was not listed despite being 22 and will make for a thrilling battle to claim the backup job for the 2026-27 season. 

One thing to keep in mind is that Gibson is signed on for two more seasons and if the two young goaltenders push their way to the front, he may be out of a job once again like he was in Anaheim with Lukas Dostal. There could also be a scenerio where Gibson is still playing at a high level and will be in a position to keep his role. 

We could see a similar situation to what happened with the Nashville Predators and Yaroslav Askarov. The two sides were close until it was time for Askarov to make the jump to the NHL level and there wasn't any room for him as Juuse Saros was still at the top of his game and they still had a reliable backup in Justus Annunen. 

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San Jose would go on to trade and acquired Askarov from Nashville in exchange for a replacement goaltender in Magnus Chrona as well as a forward prospect David Edstrom and a 2025 conditional first-round pick belonging to the Vegas Golden Knights. The deal was a big one as the Sharks got their goalie of the future and this could be something that the Red Wings look to do in the near future. 

The hope is in a couple years the Red Wings could be contending a if John Gibson is still effective in his late 30s like some goalies are, Talbot for example, Detroit could use one of the goaltenders as a valuable asset. They will need to make these decisions soon as Cossa is set to be a restricted free agent and Augustine is still unsigned with his rights not expiring with the team until he decides to leave the NCAA which could be two more seasons at most. 

Augustine has a lot of hype right now and could force the Red Wings to potentially move off Cossa if Augustine is determined to take over Talbot's backup role. Time will tell how the story will turn out but the battle between two elite goaltenders will be something to watch next offseason.

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Angus Crookshank sees an opportunity in New Jersey. 

Using an objective approach to free agency, the 25-year-old left the Ottawa Senators and signed a two-year deal with the New Jersey Devils on July 2. 

The contract breakdown is a two-way contract in the first year, worth $775,000 at the NHL level and $425,000 ($475,000 guaranteed) at the American Hockey League (AHL) level. The second year of the deal is a one-way contract worth $775,000.

"It is a good situation there," Crookshank explained on SENS TALK. "I am fortunate that it was the terms that we were looking for, especially in the second year. The second year was a big deal for us.

"To have the shown interest, commitment, and belief from the Devils meant a lot to me," he continued. "If I am looking at this very objectively, I am used to Ottawa, but when you take the emotions out of it, objectively, it was going to be a better situation and better opportunity in New Jersey. I can't wait to get down there." 

The 5-foot-10 winger has played 21 NHL games for the Senators over two seasons and 202 over four seasons for the Belleville Senators of the American Hockey League. 

One thing to note from last season is his 11 power-play goals in Belleville tied for sixth among all AHL skaters. His 40 points would have been tied with Brian Halonen for second-most on the Utica Comets. 

As for what type of players Devils fans can expect when the training camp opens in September, Crookshank describes himself as somewhat of a pest to the opposition. 

"I will bring energy," he said. "I will be in your face, probably annoy you, all that sort of stuff. I mean, you play a different game when you are in the NHL vs. when you are in the American League. I feel like I have gotten much better at managing those two different styles of play, so to speak. From an intangible standpoint, I am going to be flying around the ice and bringing energy every night."

When he arrives in New Jersey and prepares for his first NHL training camp away from Ottawa, he will have his sights on one thing: making the New Jersey Devils roster. 

Crookshank made his NHL debut on Dec. 17, 2023, against the Vegas Golden Knights at T-Mobile Arena. He celebrated his first career NHL goal in his second career game against the Arizona Coyotes. With the Senators, he played in 21 career NHL games and collected four points (two goals, two assists), including one game-winning goal. 

His first career assist was against the Devils as well as one of his two career goals. 

Crookshank will report to Prudential Center for Devils training camp in mid-September. The club's first preseason game is scheduled for Sept. 21 against the New York Rangers. 

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Rory Kerins isn’t just a feel-good story — he’s becoming a real factor in the Flames organization.

The 23-year-old forward signed a one-year, two-way deal with Calgary on July 17, giving him another shot to prove he belongs in the NHL. Based on last season’s strides, he’s earning more than just a second look.

Kerins made his NHL debut on January 13, 2025, and didn’t waste time making an impression. He picked up two assists in his first-ever game against the Chicago Blackhawks and finished his five-game stint with the Flames posting four points (4a) and a plus-3 rating. 

Small sample size? Sure. But the kid looked comfortable.

Where he really turned heads was in the AHL. Kerins lit it up for the Calgary Wranglers last season, notching 33 goals - a career best - and leading the team with 61 points. His offensive instincts were on full display, and he’s quietly becoming one of the best late-round value picks Calgary has made in recent years.

Let’s not forget: Kerins was a sixth-rounder — 174th overall — in the 2020 NHL Draft. Players taken in that range don’t usually carve out clear NHL paths, but the Caledon, Ontario native has steadily climbed the ladder. From the ECHL, to the AHL, to skating with the big club last season — he’s checked every box along the way.

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Kerins has amassed 95 points (50g, 45a) in 127 AHL games with the Wranglers, and the former Flames affiliate, the Stockton Heat. That production, combined with his relentless pace and developing two-way game, is putting him on Calgary’s radar for good.

At 5-foot-11 and 190 pounds, Kerins might not tower over opponents, but he plays with bite and intelligence — and he’s clearly not done growing as a player.

With a cap hit of $775,000 on his new deal, the Flames get flexibility — and Kerins gets another well-earned shot to show he’s ready to stick with the big club for good.

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