Author: George Malik

MLive’s Ansar Khan penned a late-night article discussing the Red Wings’ first-round selections, Simon Edvinsson and Sebastian Cossa, noting that the Red Wings’ emphasis here is on improving their team’s defense:

The Detroit Red Wings went big during the first round of the draft Friday, with a focus on preventing goals against.

The Red Wings selected 6-4 left-shooting defenseman Simon Edvinsson with the No. 6 pick and 6-6 goaltender Sebastian Cossa with the 15th pick, after trading up from 23.

“I think it’s imperative to have a good defense to win championships ultimately,” Red Wings general manager Steve Yzerman said. “You’re not winning without a good goalie; you’re not winning without a good D corps. Once you are a solid defensive hockey team, you’re going to be competitive. You can win a lot of nights. Over time you can add to the offense.”

Khan continues…

Pat Nagle has served as an integral part of the Red Wings’ minor league system as a starting goaltender for both the Toledo Walleye and Grand Rapids Griffins, but he enters this summer as an unrestricted free agent-to-be, and Nagle spoke with the Toledo Blade’s Mark Monroe regarding his uncertain future:

“I want to build off of the [2019-20 season]. Last year was such a different year, you don’t really want to close the book on your career on that note,” he said. “But if that’s the way it works out, that’s the way it goes and I’ve had [11] years of professional hockey and I’m fortunate to be able to say that.”

Nagle said he will get together with his family and agent to determine the best course of action.

“We’ll see if the best option is to stay in North America or if the best option to go to Europe or if it’s best just to call it,” he said. “We’ll see what happens in the next month. It’s another summer of being a free agent.”

Continued

97.1 the Ticket’s Will Burchfield noted that Red Wings 15th overall pick Sebastian Cossa is one confident, cool cat:

In the Red Wings’ rebuild, one of the biggest questions marks — perhaps thebiggest — is in the crease. Cossa might be the answer. He’s highly confident in his game, and he has every reason to be based on his performance the past two seasons. His belief in his ability was reflected in his nonchalance about being the first goalie off the board.

“I think my play earned it for me,” he said. “The confidence I have in my game, I think I’m going to be the best goalie in this draft. So I got picked where I should be.”

Wallstedt, the other top-rated goalie in the draft, went five picks later to the Wild.

“The draft is Day 1. There’s a lot of work to be done from now,” said Cossa. “Being picked first, that’s more motivation. I can’t let him catch up to me.”

Continued; here’s more from MLive’s Ansar Khan:

In his WHL rookie season of 2019-20, Cossa went 21-6-3 with a 2.23 GAA, .921 save percentage and four shutouts.

“When I’m at the top of my crease, there’s not a lot to shoot at,” Cossa said. “Still recognizing that and patterning my game after that. My hands don’t have to move as much. My depth control is a big focus for me. There’s bigger holes with bigger goalies, but when I’m seeing the puck very well I definitely use my size to my advantage.”

Cossa is looking forward to a bright future for the organization.

“They have a lot of bright, young prospects,” he said. “I think this team is really going to be making a big push in the next couple of years. I can’t be happier to be there with them in a couple of years.”

Continued…

Red Wings beat writer/Word on Woodward host/renaissance man Art Regner spoke with Simon Edvinsson after his media Zoom call this evening:

Update: Here’s Art with Sebastian Cossa:

Red Wings GM Steve Yzerman and director of amateur scouting Kris Draper will discuss the Red Wings’ picks of Simon Edvinsson and Sebastian Cossa with the media shortly:

Here’s the YouTube version:

Red Wings GM Steve Yzerman appeared on the NHL Network to speak with Jackie Redmond regarding the team’s decision to trade up for the opportunity to select Sebastian Cossa 15th overall:

After trading up to the 15th overall pick to draft Sebastian Cossa, he spoke with the media from Edmonton, via Zoom:

The Red Wings drafted Simon Edvinsson 6th overall, and Edvinsson spoke with the media via Zoom from Sweden:

The Detroit Red Wings traded their 23rd overall pick to the Dallas Stars for the 15th overall pick…

DALLAS TRADES WITH DETROIT FOR 15 per @KevinWeekes— George Malik (@georgemalik) July 24, 2021

DET moving from 23 to 15 in trade with DAL here— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) July 24, 2021

Here’s the big move: Red Wings have traded up to No. 15, per @KevinWeekes— Max Bultman (@m_bultman) July 24, 2021

23, 48 and 138 for 15.

That’s a big trade.— George Malik (@georgemalik) July 24, 2021

? TRADE ALERT ? #DRWDraft x #LGRW pic.twitter.com/bU6EYKtRuk— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) July 24, 2021

The Red Wings moved up to No. 15 overall in a trade with the Stars

The cost:
•1st round pick: 23 overall
•2nd round pick: 48 overall
•5th round pick: 138 overall— Brad Galli (@BradGalli) July 24, 2021

And…

DET moves into the 15 slot due to a deal with DAL. Lots of pre-draft chatter about DET taking a goalie and lots of that talks was Jesper Wallstedt. Don’t be surprised, though, if it’s Sebastian Cossa.— Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) July 24, 2021

DET pick is Sebastian Cossa— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) July 24, 2021

Red Wings pick G Sebastian Cossa from Edmonton (WHL) — had monster numbers in the WHL the last two years, including .941 save percentage this season with Edmonton Oil Kings. 6-foot-6 goaltender. @coreypronman had him as the top goalie in this draft class, No. 10 player overall.— Max Bultman (@m_bultman) July 24, 2021

With the 15th pick in the 2021 #NHLDraft, the #RedWings select…

Goaltender Sebastian Cossa! ?#DRWDraft x #LGRW pic.twitter.com/2BSlBLhhTR— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) July 24, 2021

The Detroit Red Wings TRADE UP to select SEBASTIAN COSSA 15th overall! #LGRW pic.twitter.com/Dmne9HOMd5— Winged Wheel Podcast (@WingedWheelPod) July 24, 2021

The Detroit Red Wings have acquired the 15th overall pick from the Dallas Stars in exchange for the 23rd, 48th and 138th overall picks.

With the 15th overall pick in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft, the Detroit Red Wings select goaltender Sebastian Cossa from the Edmonton Oil Kings! pic.twitter.com/v62jB76g5K— Complete Hockey News (@CompleteHkyNews) July 24, 2021

The Red Wings finally have their Goalie of the Future (TM). And @hailey_salvian has everything you need to know about him: https://t.co/5cfKyPXcSu— Max Bultman (@m_bultman) July 24, 2021

The Detroit Red Wings select Sebastian Cossa with the 15th pick in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft! pic.twitter.com/h09rnfMbuj— TSN (@TSN_Sports) July 24, 2021

In 2012, Steve Yzerman acquired an additional first round pick in the middle round ,used it to select the first goaltender in the draft – Andrei Vasilevskiy. Now, in 2021 with Detroit, Yzerman uses it to select the first goaltender in the draft, Sebastian Cossa— Lightning Insider (@Erik_Erlendsson) July 24, 2021

The Detroit Red Wings have drafted Frolunda Indians defenseman Simon Edvinsson with the 6th overall pick in the 2021 NHL Draft.

Red Wings pick is Simon Edvinsson, big left-shot D out of Frölunda — big upside— Max Bultman (@m_bultman) July 24, 2021

The Detroit Red wings select Simon Edvinsson 6th overall! #LGRW pic.twitter.com/mVfzRRSRjJ— Winged Wheel Podcast (@WingedWheelPod) July 24, 2021

At No. 6 in #NHLdraft, Red Wings select Simon Edvinsson, big strong Swedish defenseman.

Pick was teed up by 10-year-old Harold Washington, Jr. of Detroit, who won the draw to assist Steve Yzerman.— Helene St. James (@HeleneStJames) July 24, 2021

The Red Wings just got the defenseman with arguably the highest upside in this whole draft. That is TOUGH with Eklund just sitting there but I get it #LGRW— nolan bianchi (@nolanbianchi) July 24, 2021

With the 6th pick in the 2021 #NHLDraft, the #RedWings select…

Defenseman Simon Edvinsson! ?#DRWDraft x #LGRW pic.twitter.com/iJEEG6xbXc— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) July 24, 2021

The first European is off the board and he’s heading to #LGRW ! pic.twitter.com/3eHMhTZjJw— DailyFaceoff.com Hockey (@DFOHockey) July 24, 2021

With the sixth overall pick in the 2021 #NHLDraft, the @DetroitRedWings select Simon Edvinsson!#NHLonSN | #LGRW pic.twitter.com/6IsJoUss7B— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) July 24, 2021