Derek Lalonde has words for Sebastian Cossa

With the 15th pick in the 2021 NHL Draft, the Detroit Red Wings went with Western Hockey League goaltender Sebastian Cossa of the Edmonton Oil Kings, a towering figure who many analysts believe could fit the profile of a franchise goalie of the future.

And while it wasn't exactly smooth sailing for Cossa earlier this season with the ECHL's Toledo Walleye, he's suddenly caught fire, having not suffered a loss since early February while sporting a save percentage above that of .960 and an equally stellar goals against average. He was also named the ECHL goaltender of the week earlier in the month. 

And while it's still going to be a bit before we see him in the red and white of the Red Wings, head coach Derek Lalonde can't help but notice his success .

“It’s excellent,” Lalonde said of Cossa's hot streak. “It’s not an accident that a ton, most percentage of goalies in the NHL have spent time, even some significant time in the ECHL.”

“Sometimes that game is a little more chaotic,” Lalonde continued. “You’re dealing with rotating rosters. Sometimes you’re stuck on an overnight and you’re playing with a depleted lineup. Sometimes it’s a less organized game and the goalies down there actually are looking at tougher chances, percentages than they do at every level.

“If he’s doing it over that period of time, no matter what the circumstance is, I think that speaks pretty well of how he’s playing. This is the vision the management team had for him and it’s going exactly to the script.”

Red Wings fans are certainly right to be optimistic about one day seeing the 6'6 goaltender between the pipes for their team.