Is Sebastian Cossa worth the wait for Detroit Red Wings fans?

The Detroit Red Wings have made many waves throughout the years. 

From drafting Sergei Fedorov to Moritz Seider, management in Hockeytown is full of surprises. Another big surprise came on draft night in 2021, where Detroit traded up to select a goaltender. However, it wasn’t the goalie top public scouts or fans expected.

Instead of choosing the high floor, professionally-established Jesper Wallstedt (seemingly, this rendition of the Wings’ favorite country to draft from and a player who lived down the street from Nicklas Lidström), they chose Sebastian Cossa, an unpolished behemoth out of the Western Hockey League (WHL)—a Canadian junior league. 

From the beginning, public scouts and hockey fans scratched their heads then. Many Red Wings fans now have bigger doubts than ever before. 

Those green eyes of envy only deepen as Jesper Wallstedt starts in net for the Minnesota Wild in the playoffs -- the same goalie the Red Wings could have chosen. 

Is Sebastian Cossa worth the wait for Detroit Red Wings fans?

Sebastian Cossa, on the other hand, has only played one game in the NHL. 

There’s mention that, like his team in juniors, Cossa backstops an elite roster of players (at least in terms of the AHL standards).  Their defensive play instills confidence on most nights. Goaltenders are the beneficiary of their sounds two-way game. 

At the same time, a goalie must stop the puck. Defenders can only do so much, and a leaky goal deflates a team faster than an inflated whoopie cushion when Kevin James sits on it. During his tenure with the Grand Rapids Griffins, Cossa has had everything from stellar moments making impossible saves to typical oopsie goal that we all pretend didn’t happen.

The 6’6” monster, or as I like to joke, Cossa’s inner beast, has created some of the most spectacular saves in recent memory. Consistency is Cossa’s kryptonite, especially late in the season. It’s a process that every young player must overcome. 

In his four years, Cossa’s stats are as follows:

Some of the most successful NHL goalies start north of 50 games (with 60+ games being pretty normal). 

Cossa has yet to play more than 46 games in a season, which isn’t ideal.

Longevity a concern for Red Wings, Cossa

There’s a growing concern amongst Red Wings fans that Cossa may not have the durability required for a starting goaltender. Cossa starts off the season flying high, then seemingly each season his performance diminishes around the midway point in the season.

On the surface, it seems like it’s all Cossa’s problem—not a team situation. When looking into the dynamics of the Griffins as an overall team, though, different reasons for the dip in play emerges. Cossa may be exhausted from all the games he plays in, but just as equally it could be partially a change in the team’s makeup.

Around the midpoint of the season, Detroit faced injuries, resulting in call ups from Grand Rapids. Players who aren’t in the lineup normally fill the roster. Additionally, other players in the Red Wings' system like Anton Johansson, Eddie Genborg, Jesse Kiiskinen, Dylan James, Kienan Draper and Wojciech Stachowiak switched up the scheme.

These additions are exciting for fans and coaches alike, yet, integrating them into the team (literally an entire new line and defensive pairing). Having said that, they can disrupt the nuances of the game. 

Players take time to understand each other, especially when it comes to rebounds, crease play, positioning and other nuances. Until a goalie feels comfortable his teammates and his teammates with him, there can be challenges that are difficult to overcome. 

Some players and goalies may adjust to the changes quicker and/or get more comfortable with the new comers than others. In his fourth professional season, though, Cossa still needs to close his five-hole more effectively and reduce the leaky goals against. 

What we know with certainty is that Cossa has made strides in his confidence. His demeanor is as poised and calm as it’s ever been without losing his competitive edge. He’s a team-first player who is willing to stay late with Marco Kasper to play silly games to help improve Kasper’s shot and Cossa’s ability to stop pucks. 

Cossa’s overall dedication to his teammates to challenge them in practice to be the best shooters they can be has continued. Whether it’s practice or a game, his teammate or an opponent, Cossa hates giving up goals. 

Cossa is as hungry as ever for wins and determined to become the best version of himself. 

Like most players in Detroit, the scenic route has helped Cossa. Although frustrating in the short-term to have to wait as we watch Wallstedt in the playoffs, Cossa is worth the wait. 

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