Sebastian Cossa is showing the form the Detroit Red Wings have waited to see.
The goaltending prospect – the 15th overall pick in 2021 – has played so well for the Grand Rapids Griffins that he earned AHL Player of the Week honors on Monday, Dec. 1.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementCossa went 3-0 this past week, allowing just four goals on 73 shots, per a release from the AHL, for a 1.33 goals-against average and a .945 save percentage. The 23-year-old also logged his second shutout of the season, with 26 saves, in a 1-0 victory over Iowa (Minnesota's AHL affiliate) on Sunday.
Grand Rapids goaltender Sebastian Cossa (33) defends during the second night of the AHL All-Star Challenge at Acrisure Arena in Palm Desert, California, on Monday, Feb. 3, 2025.TAKING A PUNCH: Moritz Seider on fight for Detroit Red Wings: 'Got to show a face'
Prior to his fifth career AHL shutout, Cossa backstopped the Griffins to a two-game sweep at the Texas Stars (Dallas' affiliate) from Nov. 25-26. He collected 19 saves in a 10-1 victory on Tuesday and followed that performance with 24 stops in a 6-3 win on Wednesday.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementOverall this season, Cossa has a 1.56 GAA and .942 save percentage in nine games, posting an 8-1 record. He has been a big part of an outstanding season for the Griffins, who top the AHL at 16-1.
"They are a very good hockey club," Wings coach Todd McLellan said. "Goaltending – that gives them the security blanket of rescuing the team when they do make mistakes. But from what I understand, they don't make a lot. They're well-organized, so [Dan Watson] and his coaching staff have done a really good job."
The Wings have called upon Cossa only once: last December, for a game against the Sabres in Buffalo, where he came on in relief for Ville Husso. The Wings rallied from two goals down in the third period to win, 6-5, in a shootout, giving Cossa the win.
Cossa has struggled to show the consistent dominance in the minors that makes parent clubs take notice – although he was an AHL All-Star last season – but they almost certainly have to call him up at some point this season. This is Cossa's fourth year in the minors, which means it is his last year of being waiver-wire exempt.
Detroit Red Wings goaltender Sebastian Cossa (33) defends the net against the Chicago Blackhawks at United Center in Chicago on Oct. 1, 2022.The Wings went into the season with two established NHL goalies, but newcomer John Gibson has struggled to establish himself. He's surrendered five goals in each of his last three starts, and has a 3.59 goals-against average and .865 save percentage in 13 games, posting a 4-7-1 record.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementUnder any circumstance, Cossa certainly has made himself No. 1 on the call-up chart should either Gibson or Cam Talbot deal with an injury.
Contact Helene St. James at [email protected].
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This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Detroit Red Wings prospect Sebastian Cossa named AHL player of week
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