Detroit Red Wings

Detroit Red Wings Rumored to Be Looking for Goaltender

The Detroit Red Wings will be looking at multiple options to add a goaltender this offseason. It could come via trade or the draft.

by
NHL Trade Talk
June 25, 2021

As per Bob Duff of Detroit Hockey Now, the Detroit Red Wings will be in the market for a goaltender this offseason and might be scouring all sorts of potential avenues to add the franchise’s netminder of the future. The trade market, the NHL Entry Draft and free agency are all potential options for a rebuilding team that hopes to take a big step forward in 2021-22.

When it comes to the draft, Duff believes the Red Wings could make drafting a goalie in this year’s draft a priority. He notes they could be willing to select someone with one of their many earlier picks. Among the top names available, Jesper Wallstedt, out of Lulea (SWE) is ranked No. 1 for International goalies and Sebastian Cossa, out of the Edmonton Oil Kings of the WHL, is ranked No. 1 for North American goalies. Duff writes, “They’ll also be pondering when to draft a goalie, perhaps even spending one of their two first-round picks on a netminder.” With the No. 6 pick, they could certainly get one of these two prospects.

Elvis Merzlikins Blue Jackets Sebastian Cossa Edmonton Oil Kings

What About a Trade?

Duff writes that the Red Wings might also be talking to other teams, including potentially the Columbus Blue Jackets. As many fans who follow the world of hockey trade rumors know, the Blue Jackets have an extra goaltender and one could be on the move this offseason.

A trade could come in many forms, but when talking about the Blue Jackets specifically, the Red Wings hold the No. 6 and No. 22 picks in the 2021 draft. The Blue Jackets have the No. 5, No. 24 and No. 30, as well as goaltender Elvis Merzlikins or Joonas Korpisalo. There is certainly the makings there of a potential deal getting done. At the same time, the Red Wings won’t be the only team wanting to talk with Blue Jackets’ GM Jarmo Kekalinen about one of this netminders.

Columbus won’t be the only option. Vegas is rumored to potentially be open to moving one of their backstops, Frederik Andersen could be available in free agency and there will be a few players who shake loose as salary cap juggling becomes a priority for teams.

Next: Blue Jackets Likely Out of the Running for Jack Eichel Trade