The Detroit Red Wings traded goaltender Sebastian Cossa to the Utah Mammoth during the NHL Entry Draft on Friday night, getting a first round draft pick and using it to select forward J.P. Hurlbert.
— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) June 27, 2026
Welcome to Detroit, JP! pic.twitter.com/3KmIRUSfSM
— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) June 27, 2026
The Wings had soured on Cossa over the past two seasons. Each year his performance plummeted in the spring, leading to doubts about his ability to perform at a high level. Combined with the acquisition of Michal Postava and Trey Augustine going pro, Cossa became expendable.
Hurlbert is a University of Michigan commit who spent last season with the Kamloops Blazers of the Western Hockey League. He led the Blazers in scoring with 97 points in 68 games.
As I’ve said previously, I’m not a big draft guy, so I don’t really have any thoughts on Hurlbert. The Wings need high-end forwards and they don’t need three prospect goalies so they dealt from a position of depth to try to fill a gap and I appreciate that.
Like I said when Amadeus Lombardi was dealt, I’m happy to see the Red Wings moving on from players and getting something in return rather than them walking for nothing or being claimed on waivers, so I’ll celebrate the small win.
That said, I’ve always felt the “Cossa collapses in the spring” narrative was a little hypocritical. This whole organization falls apart as the schedule closes. Somehow that only meant the end of the road for Cossa.
Detroit has some interesting times ahead in the crease throughout the organization. John Gibson seems to have the starter’s role for the Red Wings locked down while we know Trey Augustine will play in Grand Rapids next year. Will Augustine share the crease with Postava, who came on strong to end the year with the Griffins? Will Postava be Gibson’s backup or will the Wings have a veteran in that role, perhaps even retaining Cam Talbot? And what does that mean for Carter Gylander and Rudy Guimond?
