Prospect Sebastian Cossa is ready for the Detroit Red Wings. The problem is the Red Wings are not quite ready for him.
On Sunday, Cossa made 26 saves to lift the Grand Rapids Griffins to a 5-0 win against the Texas Stars. His fifth shutout of the season raised his personal record to 21-4-2 and lowered his goals-against average to 1.92. His save percentage is a sparkling .930.
“It’s the details and the consistency in that, but he’s ready,” Griffins coach Dan Watson said. “For me personally, watching him this game (against Texas) and throughout the entire season, he’s continuing to build. . . it’s that consistency day in and day out that is going to get him there. And once the game looks easy and boring for him, then you know he’s going to be ready.”
Watson can testify that the 6-foot-7 Cossa is focused on readying himself for the opportunity when the call comes, whenever that is.
“But what he does day in and day out, how he prepares himself for practices,” Watson said. “How he prepares himself for games, what he eats, his rest and recovery. Everything now is dialed in for him, and he’s been doing a really good job of staying consistent at that. And the results are there.”
Shutout High
Cossa seems surprised to have five shutouts, which is the most by a Griffins goalie since Jared Coreau had six in 2015-16.
“I don’t really set those kinds of (individual goals), but it’s pretty cool,” Cossa said. “Don’t know if I’ve gotten five shutouts in a season before. I’ll feel good about the game right now and our defensive zone. “(Our) defensive play has been really good lately.
While the Red Wings are pleased with Cossa’s improvement this season, figuring out the next step isn’t an easy decision. The Red Wings’ primary focus is qualifying for the playoffs. Cossa is 23, looking to enter a league where the average age of a goalie is 29.8. The average age for a goalie making his NHL debut is 24, and goalies don’t usually play regularly until they are eligible for waivers. That’s usually between the ages of 23 and 25.
Some GMs do try to expedite the development, but it doesn’t always work. The Buffalo Sabres tried it with Devon Levi, and now he’s back in the AHL at 24. Jesper Wallstedt, drafted five picks after Cossa, made the Minnesota Wild roster this season and looked like he could be the NHL Rookie of the Year early on. But he is struggling of late, giving up 37 goals in his last 10 appearances since Dec. 21. He has been the subject of trade rumors over the last few weeks.
Montreal did promote 21-year-old prize goalie prospect Jacob Fowler, but the Canadiens have returned him to the AHL. Pittsburgh’s Sergei Murashov, who turns 22 on April 1, has played five games for the Penguins (1-1-2, 2.56, .897). The San Jose Sharks are trying to compete for a playoff spot with Yaroslav Askarov, 23. But he has a bloated 3.50 GAA and an .889 save percentage.
Cossa Call Up?
But maybe Cossa is better than the aforementioned youngsters. His numbers have been roughly the same all season. There’s been no dip in his effectiveness like we saw last season after the All-Star break. It’s in the Red Wings’ best interest to give him NHL experience. They want to give him some games. Cam Talbot will be an unrestricted free agent this summer. Cossa should receive the first shot at being the team’s backup in 2026-27.
It is unlikely the Red Wings would move Cam Talbot before the March 6 trade deadline. GM Steve Yzerman isn’t going to want to be in a stretch battle without a veteran goalie to back up John Gibson. But that doesn’t mean Yzerman couldn’t bring up Cossa to have a three-goalie system. Or, the Red Wings could keep Cossa in Grand Rapids and bring him up for spot starts.
There’s not much left for Cossa to prove as a prospect at the AHL level, although the Red Wings would love to see some Griffins playoff success
“Just winning games,” Cossa said. “Whatever happens during the game, just find ways to win. I think that’s the biggest thing for me, obviously, with this group. We have big goals and, for me, it’s just at the end of the day, you want to win those (games).”