Nation Sites
The Nation Network
OilersNation has no direct affiliation to the Edmonton Oilers, Oilers Entertainment Group, NHL, or NHLPA
Should the Oilers target young goalies Cossa or Levi?
Photo credit: Taya Gray/The Desert Sun / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
May 23, 2026, 12:30 EDTUpdated: May 23, 2026, 12:44 EDT
The position group under the most scrutiny for the Edmonton Oilers heading into the off-season is goaltending.
What else is new?
Tristan Jarry has two seasons left on his contract, and it seems unlikely the veteran netminder will be sold off to free up cap space, his value being what it is. The Oilers could look at re-signing Connor Ingram, who had a career rebirth, outperforming initial expectations after being acquired cheaply from the Utah Mammoth.
But would the Oilers target a young goaltender who has a lot of potential upside, but is so far unproven in the NHL?
Sebastian Cossa
Sebastian Cossa and Devon Levi are both gaining interest across the league as the Detroit Red Wings and Buffalo Sabres try to sort out their crease.
Once viewed as the goaltender of the future in Hockeytown, Cossa is part of a crowded goalie pipeline in the organization.
“Sources indicate that Sebastian Cossa is on his way out of Detroit,” said insider Frank Seravalli on his show Frankly Hockey on Wednesday.
Last summer, the Oilers reportedly inquired about Cossa and fellow prospect Trey Augustine, who just finished his collegiate career at Michigan State, and has posted terrific numbers in the NCAA.
Augustine, 21, appears to have leapfrogged Cossa, 23, on the long-term goalie depth chart, but he’s posted good numbers in the AHL.
In 39 games with the Grand Rapids Griffins this season, Cossa posted a 26-8-4 record, with a 2.33 goals against average and a .915 save percentage. However, he never got the net in the Calder Cup playoffs. Michal Postava was the Griffins backup during the season, but started all eight post-season games.
The 24-year-old was an undrafted free agent who posted better overall number in his starts than Cossa. He got in the playoffs and Cossa didn’t get a sniff.
“It’s a crowded crease in Detroit,” said Seravalli. “He’s [Cossa is] going to be on the move, probably not ready to obviously become an NHL starter, but has seasoned long enough in the AHL. I think there’s definitely going to be interest.”
Cossa has a connection to Edmonton, playing with the Oil Kings in his junior career. Could a reunion happen in the Alberta capital?
Devon Levi
Levi is another 24-year-old who can’t seem to crack into the NHL. The former seventh-rounder gained massive steam after two impressive seasons with Northeastern University from 2021-23.
As one of the pieces acquired for Sam Reinhart, Levi was given a couple of chances with Buffalo. But he hasn’t been able to stick, and didn’t play an NHL game this season.
The Sabres elected to claim Colton Ellis off waivers, and he filled the role as the team’s third netminder behind Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen and Alex Lyon.
ESPN insider Kevin Weekes tweeted on Friday that Levi is gaining interest across the league, namely the Ottawa Senators.
Others, like The Fourth Period’s Dave Pagnotta and Daily Faceoff’s Jeff Marek, have agreed that Levi and the Sabres are headed towards a divorce.
“It’s over, ” said Marek. “It’s over with Devon Levi and the Buffalo Sabres.”
He started the lion’s share of games with the Rochester Americans in 2025-26. In 52 games, Levi’s record was 23-20-9, with a 2.83 goals against average, and a .904 save percentage.
With the uncertainty high on both, is there a buy-low opportunity for the Oilers with either netminder to create a tandem with Jarry, and hope for a Jesper Wallstedt like rise like the Minnesota Wild had this season?
Or with the stakes already so high to win next season on the “Connor McDavid timeline,” is acquiring an unproven commodity like either Cossa or Levi simply too risky?
Michael Menzies is an Oilersnation columnist and co-host of PreGaming and Oilersnation After Dark. He’s also been the play-by-play voice of the Bonnyville Pontiacs in the AJHL since 2019. With seven years of news experience as the Editor-at-Large of Lakeland Connect in Bonnyville, Menzies collects vinyl, books, and stomach issues. Follow him on X at Menzies_4.