The Detroit Red Wings are the most talked about team in the NHL this last week.
From the Dylan Larkin news to recent updates about goaltending prospect Sebastian Cossa, things are heating up quickly. Per Kevin Weekes of NHL Network, one of the teams making an active effort Cossa is the Utah Mammoth:
**Keep an eye 👁️ **
Per sources, some nuggets for you fans ;
I’m told G Cossa could be on the move with @utahmammoth among the interested clubs. F Berard also could be on move from @NYRangers . G Skinner among options for @Senators . #HockeyX pic.twitter.com/TilGNbAprm
Cossa celebrated his most successful AHL season to date, compiling a .915 save percentage, 2.33 goals against average and a 26-8-4 record. Recently, the Athletic ranked Cossa as the top goaltending prospect in the NHL. It's no surprise that the Mammoth, who saw a tough season from starter Karel Vejmelka, would look for someone like Cossa for help.
Now, the question revolves around the price -- and what the Red Wings can recoup in return.
What the Mammoth may give up for Cossa
It's not often that a prospect of Cossa's caliber becomes available. For a team like the Mammoth, who need an upgrade at center, this might be a mutually beneficial agreement for both parties. Former top-five pick Barrett Hayton looks like the perfect candidate for a fresh start.
The 26-year-old has top-six potential at center, but is stuck in a logjam behind Nick Schmaltz and Logan Cooley. Bringing the center to Detroit would help to solve the Red Wings' second line issues while giving the Mammoth their starter for the coming future.
Outside Hayton, the Mammoth have amassed a wide array of assets they can flip for prospects or current help. The Red Wings may package Cossa in something more enticing to net a high-end player like Tij Iginla, or they might target a different forward for help at the wing.
Then again, there's a chance they can do something really exciting.
Red Wings should swing for the fences in blockbuster trade
Who says Cossa has to be the only piece going to Utah in a trade? What if the Red Wings manage to convince Dylan Larkin to expand his trade list to include the Mammoth in the mix? With both Larkin and Cossa in the mix, they might be able to pry away former top-three pick Logan Cooley from Utah.
Nabbing the 22-year-old center gives the Red Wings their top guy in the future and provides the Mammoth with an immediate top-six upgrade. While Cooley will likely turn into a much better player than Larkin, there's a strong chance the Mammoth decide to look for immediate help over waiting for Cooley to pan out.
The Red Wings might even be able to command more than just Cooley, too.
Obviously, in order for this to work, Larkin needs to agree to the trade (and so do the Mammoth). Either way, general manager Steve Yzerman has a lot of work to do over the coming weeks to facilitate a trade for one (or both) of these players.
