What happened: Sebastian Cossa, dealt from Detroit to the Utah Mammoth on the opening day of the 2026 NHL Draft for the 23rd overall pick, says he is energized by the confidence his new organization has shown him. The Mammoth have already locked him into a two-year, $4 million contract after his time in the Red Wings system produced just a single NHL appearance. Cossa framed the move as a chance to compete for a job rather than have one handed to him.
Why it matters: The trade closes a chapter on a first-round pedigree that never took hold in Detroit, and it hands Utah a young netminder with real starter upside as the franchise builds on its first playoff berth since 2020. For Cossa, landing behind an established option gives him a runway to prove he can eventually anchor the crease, a role many once projected for him with the Red Wings.
By the numbers: Cossa posted a 26-8-4 record with the AHL's Grand Rapids Griffins last season and carries one game of NHL experience into the summer. He could open the 2026-27 campaign as Karel Vejmelka's backup. Hurlbert.
What to watch: Watch how Utah splits its crease in training camp and whether Cossa forces his way into a larger share of starts behind Vejmelka.