The Daily: How Good Is Trey Augustine?; B’s Eye ‘Hawks Center?

Trey Augustine’s performance level this season prompts the question of whether Augustine could challenge Sebastian Cossa (drafted 15th in 2021) for the status of Detroit Red Wings top goaltending prospect.

Michigan State freshman Augustine (drafted 41st overall) had another strong performance Monday when he made 21 saves in USA’s 4-1 win against a feisty Norway team at the World Junior Championship. He’s been impressive all season with the Spartans.

There’s really no comparing Augustine and Cossa yet. Augustine is 27 months younger than Cossa. Augustine turns 19 in February. Cossa, 21, is in his second season of professional hockey.

One year ago, Trey Augustine became the first 17-year-old @usahockey goaltender to win 4 games in a single World Junior.

Today, he earned his 5th career WJC win. The U.S. record is 10.

Next up for Team USA: Switzerland on Thursday.@NHLNetwork @MSU_Hockey @USAHockeyNTDP

— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) December 26, 2023

Augustine is already more accomplished in the WJC than Cossa was.  He already boasts five USA wins at the WJC. Augustine is competing for starting time with another top U.S. goalie, Jacob Fowler of Boston College. He’s a Montreal Canadiens’ draft pick.

The 6-foot-1 Augustine is a smaller netminder than 6-foot-6 Cossa. Augustine’s style seems more polished than Cossa was at his age.  But it’s too early to project how either goalie will end up. But Augustine certainly has a chance to be as good or better than Cossa. It will be entertaining to watch Augustine try to narrow the gap against an older goalie.

Red Wings In Case You Missed It

• Prospects Simon Edvinsson and Jonatan Berggren are back with the Red Wings. They were recalled Tuesday from Grand Rapids.
• Red Wings 2023 first round draft pick Nate Danielson starts strong for Canada at WJC.
• Remember when Dylan Larkin predicted the Red Wings would pay a price for their trip to Sweden? He was absolutely right.
• Newly-minted Hockey Hall of Fame player Mike Vernon says Chris Osgood belongs in the Hall.

Red Wings Next Game

The Red Wings resume action tonight on the road against a Minnesota Wild team (8 p.m.) that is 10-3 since John Hynes took over as head coach. Detroit, 2-7-1 in its past 10 games, is three points out of a playoff position in the Eastern Conference.

Red Wings back at it tonight in Minnesota. Here are the rosters. Hope everyone had a great Christmas. Now we head towards 2024! Catch the game at 7:45pm ⁦@971theticketxyt⁩ 📻 pic.twitter.com/77xyPjZ9Im

— Ken Kal (@KenKalDRW) December 27, 2023

Hockey Now Network

Boston:  Jimmy Murphy writes that an NHL executive source confirmed that Blackhawks forward Tyler Johnson is drawing interest in the trade market. The Boston Bruins could be among those interested.  The trade freeze expires Thursday at midnight.

Chicago: Blackhawks prospect Adam Gajak made 27 saves to help Slovakia down Czechia 6-2 at the World Junior Championships. Chicago Blackhawks. 

Pittsburgh: Dan Kingerski projects when the Pittsburgh Penguins will need to make a decision about whether they will be buyers or sellers at the NHL trade deadline.

San Jose: Sheng Peng wrote an entertaining, lighthearted piece about the dogs owned by San Jose Sharks players.