Red Wings of Tomorrow: Sebastian Cossa

Red Wings of Tomorrow is assessing every prospect in the Detroit Red Wings system and what they are projecting to be in the future. We’ll be looking at the strengths and weaknesses of their game, as well as what the future holds for them as they advance through the Detroit organization. Today, we feature goaltender Sebastian Cossa.

Sebastian Cossa

Position: Goaltender

How Acquired: Selected 15th overall, 2021 NHL entry draft

2021-22 totals (GP-W-L-OTL): 44-33-9-3 (with Edmonton Oil Kings of the Western Hockey League)

Contract Status: Three years remaining with a $894,167 AAV

Anticipated 2022-23 Team: Grand Rapids Griffins

Prospect Synopsis

The 6-foot-6 Cossa will be in goal tonight when his Edmonton Oil Kings play the Seattle Thunderbirds with a chance to advance to the Memorial Cup. The Oilers have a 3-2 lead against the Thunderbirds in the best-of-seven Western Hockey League Championship series.

Cossa has had an impressive season, finishing with a 2.28 goals-against average and .913 save percentage. He has won 75.5% of his regular-season decisions in the WHL.

After posting a .944 save percentage and one shutout in three starts this past week, @EdmOilKings netminder and @DetroitRedWings prospect Sebastian Cossa has been named the WHL Goaltender of the Week!

📰 | https://t.co/6cgQsGhYTE pic.twitter.com/mCEeg6bBkv

— The WHL (@TheWHL) June 13, 2022

The Red Wings traded up to choose him over Jesper Wallstedt who was rated higher in most mock drafts. The Red Wings liked his size, mobility and confidence level. He already carries himself like a pro goaltender. The

#RedWings prospect Sebastian Cossa poised in 2022 WHL Final; earns fourth postseason shutout.

📰 » https://t.co/JWJjfnSCvv pic.twitter.com/uiRdXOzXAy

— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) June 8, 2022

Estimated Time of Arrival in Detroit

Don’t expect to see Cossa in Detroit until at least 2024-25. Based on normal development time, an NHL team would expect a young goaltender to spend at least two seasons in the American Hockey League.

Cossa is 19 and won’t turn 20 until November. We have some basis for comparison. Yzerman drafted Andrei Vasilevskiy in the first round for Tampa Bay in 2012. He then played two seasons in the Kontinental Hockey League before he came to North America. He started the 2014-15 season on Tampa Bay’s AHL affiliate Syracuse and then was called up later in his season.

Vasilevskiy was 22 when he became Tampa Bay’s starter.

“I don’t expect to see (Cossa) at the NHL level next year at all,” GM Steve Yzerman said. “To what extent when, I really have no idea at this point. He’s a good young prospect, that’s a tough position, as we all know. Not that I want to rush anybody, I’m definitely not going to rush a goaltender. I’m just going to let his play determine at what level he’ll play at even next year for that matter.”

Everyone around the league has taken note that the Philadelphia Flyers rushed Carter Hart and he has struggled to reach his potential at the NHL level.

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But there are exceptions. Spencer Knight is 21 and he played 32 games for the Florida Panthers this season. The Red Wings would be thrilled if Cossa does climb the ladder quickly because he is the team’s goalie of the future.