MeAs Jesper Wallstedt continues to establish a new standard for rookie Minnesota Wild goalies, it\u2019s hard to forget that the Detroit Red Wings had their choice between Wellstedt and Sebastian Cossa at the 2021 draft.<\/p>\n
The Red Wings claimed Cossa with the 15th pick, even though Wellstedt was the consensus higher-rated goalie. The Wild drafted Wallstedt five picks later.\u00a0 Detroit had made a trade with Dallas to move up to 15 to land a goalie. The Red Wings gave up pick No. 23 (originally acquired from Washington), a second-round pick and a fifth-round pick for No. 15. By the way, Dallas used the No. 23 pick to land Wyatt Johnson who has already scored 100 NHL goals.<\/p>\n
Cossa, 23, is still considered a top prospect, but Wallstedt, 23, has been spectacular this season with Minnesota. He beat the Winnipeg Jets 3-0 with 32 saves Sunday for his third shutout in eight games this season. He is the fourth-youngest NHL goalie to earn his team points in eight consecutive games to start a season. Wallstedt owns a 1.94 GAA this season.<\/p>\n
An interesting aspect of Wallstedt\u2019s strong play this season is that he wasn\u2019t impressive last season in the AHL. He owned a 3.59 GAA and .879 save percentage. A goalie\u2019s development isn\u2019t always predictable. For example, Cossa\u2019s AHL numbers (49-48-14, 2.69 GAA and .911) are better than Wallstedt\u2019s AHL numbers (49-82.90 GAA, .902). Cossa is 3-2 against Wallstedt when their teams have faced each other.<\/p>\n
Cossa hasn\u2019t yet received the NHL opportunity that Wallstedt now enjoys.\u00a0 Meanwhile, Cossa ha one NHL game on his resume. With a 1.67 GAA and .940 save percentage in the AHL in the early going this season, maybe Cossa\u2019s shot is on the horizon.<\/p>\n
Red Wings In Case You Missed It<\/p>\n
Is it time to insert Marco Kasper<\/a> back with Dylan Larkin and Lucas Raymond? Bob Duff weighs in.<\/p>\n Defenseman Ben Chiarot<\/a> has been a steady performer for the Red Wings this season.<\/p>\n GM Steve Yzerman recalled defenseman Erik Gustafsson<\/a> from the Grand Rapids Griffins.<\/p>\n Red Wings Extra<\/p>\n Detroit prospect Rudy Guimond was game\u2019s No. 1 star in the Moncton Wildcat\u2019s 6-1 win against the Charlottetown Islanders in QMJHL league. Guimond had 23 saves and currently owns a 2.33 GAA and .921 save percentage. Over the past two seasons in Moncton, he shows a 29-3-1 record. Another prospect Grayden Robertson-Palmer (204th, 2025) scored twice\u2026 The Griffins return Detroit prospect Carter Gylander (191st, 2019) to the Toledo Walleye. He was 3-0-1 with a 2.02 GAA and .929 save percentage. The Griffins also called up former Michigan player Jacob Truscott from Toledo.<\/p>\n Hockey Now Network<\/p>\n Colorado: Former Colorado goalie Alexandar Georgiev is terminating his contract to return to the KHL. Colorado Avalanche.\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n New Jersey: What would help the Devils more \u2014 Quinn Hughes or a prominent forward? New Jersey Devils.<\/a><\/p>\n Pittsburgh: Dan Kingerski lays out a Penguins trade scenario for trading a goalie. Pittsburgh Penguins.<\/a><\/p>\n