The arrival of Minnesota Wild goaltender Jesper Wallstedt in Edmonton serves as a stark reminder of a pivotal draft-day decision that continues to resonate for the Oilers. The Swedish netminder, now establishing himself as one of the league's hottest young talents, was famously passed over by Edmonton in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft.
A Month of Dominance for the Wild's New Star
Jesper Wallstedt, 23, was named the NHL's Rookie of the Month for November 2025 after a spectacular run. The goaltender won six consecutive starts, turning away 202 of 208 shots and recording three shutouts. This performance has solidified his role in a rotation with fellow Swede Filip Gustavsson for the Wild, marking a significant step forward after a challenging 2024-25 season in the American Hockey League.
The 2021 Draft Crossroads: Wallstedt vs. Cossa
The 2021 draft presented a clear top tier of goaltending prospects: Jesper Wallstedt and Sebastian Cossa, the former Edmonton Oil Kings starter. Both were considered elite. Wallstedt had already played a significant role in the Swedish Hockey League for Lulea at age 18 and represented Sweden at the World Junior Championship.
Edmonton, holding the 20th overall pick, was keen on the 6'7" Cossa. However, Detroit Red Wings GM Steve Yzerman moved up to select Cossa at 15th overall. This left Wallstedt available. Instead of selecting him, the Oilers, then led by head of scouting Tyler Wright, traded the 20th pick to Minnesota for the 22nd and 90th overall selections.
"We All Overthink Things"
The decision to pass on Wallstedt has since been labeled a "forehead slapper." TSN draft expert Craig Button reflected on the moment, noting the lack of any discernible issues with the Swedish goalie's profile.
"They were both elite at the time but sometimes you just overthink things... we've all been there and done it," Button said. "I watched Jesper a lot and not once did I see or hear of any red flags." He echoed former Dallas scouting head Tim Bernhardt's philosophy: "if you don't draft goaltenders, then you're not going to have them when you need them."
Repercussions and Parallel Paths
The Oilers, who had Russian goalie Ilya Konovalov in their system, used the 22nd pick on a different player. The move to acquire the 90th pick was seen as valuable at the time, as Edmonton entered the draft without second or third-round selections.
Meanwhile, the paths of the two top goalies continue to unfold. While Wallstedt shines in the NHL, Sebastian Cossa, recently named AHL Goalie of the Week, has played just one NHL game for Detroit. He is positioned to potentially join the Red Wings full-time next season as veteran Cam Talbot's contract expires.
For the Oilers and their fans, Wallstedt's success is a tangible "what if" scenario, a reminder of the high-stakes gambles inherent in the NHL draft and how a single evaluation can have lasting consequences.
