Two days ago, EliteProspects’ Mitch Brown listed 6 Red Wings prospects among his “Top 100 NHL-affiliated skater prospects,” and this morning, the multi-talented Sean Shapiro lists EliteProspects’ top 20 goaltending prospects:
#3 Trey Augustine
As a pair of similar-aged goalies, Trey Augustine and [Canadiens prospect Jacob] Fowler are going to be compared side-by-side throughout their careers. Last season we had Augustine ranked 5th and Fowler at No. 6, and it would be shocking if they are ranked No. 1 and No. 2 next season since both will likely be Calder Eligible at this time next season.
Augustine has one of the most impressive résumés of any international goalie, junior or otherwise. He won back-to-back World Junior championships as the starter, has gold medals from Under-18 and already had a successful stint on the senior nation team. At Michigan State, his performance and impact have become the bedrock for a team that’s now a national title contender.
Truthfully there’s nothing left for Augustine to accomplish at the amateur level (if we can still call college athletics amateur). But he returned for his junior season at Michigan State to chase a national title, and he might even win the Hobey Baker Award in the process.
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#4 Sebastian Cossa
Sebastian Cossa is an interesting case study as he’s a goaltender who was drafted high, shown consistent strides of improvement, but has fallen out of favour in public discourse due to his situation, lacking meaningful NHL experience as Detroit has crowded the crease ahead of him the past few years and the success of Augustine at Michigan State making Cossa, at times, feel expandable. But for any organization outside of Detroit, San Jose, and Montreal, Cossa would instantly upgrade a franchise’s long-term outlook in net.
Cossa is one of the most effective users of his size at 6-foot-6, with a great frame on direct shots and when low in the crease, he’s able to completely cover the entire bottom of the net without leaving his five-hole open. He’s also exceptional along the post as well, leaving no room for shooters. Positionally he’s sound, boasting good depth, angles, with the only area of improvements being route selection and occasionally playing too aggressive. All the while, Cossa has the skating and athletic profile of a goaltender much shorter than him.
Cossa will likely still be on this list next season, but it’s only because of the lack of NHL opportunity. And in the long-term it’ll be a fascinating development to see how and who the Red Wings eventually pick to pay as their No. 1 goalies between him and Augustine when both are hitting their mid-20s.
