Detroit Red Wings
Should the Red Wings be Considering Cossa Call-Up?
With the Detroit Red Wings sitting 28th in the NHL in save percentage and 25th in GAA, it is noteworthy that goaltending prospect Sebastian Cossa’s strong start continues with the Grand Rapids Griffins.
Cossa, 23, raised his record to 8-1 by making 26 saves to lift the Griffins to a 1-0 win against the Iowa Wild. He was the game’s No. 1 star in recording his second shutout of the season.
Huge save by Cossa!#LGRW pic.twitter.com/ByzlxV6vnz
— Red Wings Prospects (@LGRWProspects) November 30, 2025
“Every start he has given us an opportunity to win every game,” Grand Rapids coach Dan Watson said. “…He’s working extremely hard in practice and it’s paying off for him.”
The 2021 first-round pick lowered his GAA to 1.56 and raised his save percentage to .942. Cossa is unofficially the organization’s No. 3 goalie. It was presumed coming into the season that he would probably see time at the NHL level.
How Close is Cossa to the NHL?
The 6-foot-7 former WHL standout has yielded two or fewer goals in seven of his nine appearances this season. The key for Cossa this season is consistency. He started impressively last season and then wasn’t sharp in the second half of the season and AHL playoffs. But with Cam Talbot (.885) and John Gibson (.865) sporting save percentages well below the NHL average of .897, the Red Wings could decide to bring him up to see how he looks at the NHL level.
Last season, Cossa played one NHL game and was a winner in a 45-minute relief stint against the Buffalo Sabres.
The question the Red Wings are probably asking themselves is whether they want to subject Cossa to playing with Detroit’s defensive inconsistency. Can he help the situation? Or, would Detroit’s defensive messiness work against his development?
Should the Red Wings call-up Cossa, the Griffins can call-up Carter Gylander who has shuttled between Toledo (ECHL) and Grand Rapids. He’s 4-0-1 with the Griffins this season. Michal Postava was also playing as well as Cossa before he was injured. There’s been no timetable for Postava’s return.
Cossa, 23, is playing for a Griffins team that has been dominant defensively this season, evidenced by the team’s franchise record 16-1-0-1 start. John Leonard’s league-leading 15th goal of the season was the difference in Sunday’s 1-0 trial.
If the Red Wings have injuries, Leonard, 27, is another player who could be a potential call-up. He has played 70 NHL games for three different teams (San Jose Sharks, Nashville Predators and Arizona Coyotes) without sticking. But his scoring touch seems more refined after he totaled 44 goals in the regular-season and playoffs for the Charlotte Checkers last season.
Might as well see if Sebastian Cabot can play. Would be hard pressed to do any worse than Gibson. Need to find out sooner or later.
Tough call. Gibson is extremely disappointing , it’s not surprising to me. Talbot is big better but still under NHL average . I don’t know if Cossa is ready for the show. His numbers in GR are a bit inflated by the strong team in front of him. He certainly won’t have that luxury with the Wings if he’s called up. People are going to expect him to perform like Wallstedt is with the Wild, who is performing at an All-Star level. That will be an additional burden on Cossa. I’m kind of thinking no, just tank the season . Leave Cossa in the AHL until next season. The teams current roster outside of three or four players is weak and doesn’t have what it takes to succeed in the playoffs.
Its not a tough call. its a you have no choice call.
Yeah I hear you Ken and don’t disagree. Guess I went a little bit more in depth. I think this team is one injury away from the lottery. I want them to win too , but I see a serious lack of depth.
Rink you and Po both make good points. We might as well look at Cossa now. We do have to remember the team he will be playing in front of. The Wings have gone through this when they have acquired other goalies. This happened both times with Husso and Nedelkjovic. Both had good numbers and records when they came from St. Louis and Carolina respectfully. I was not shocked by what happened. Both of them had their goals against go up more than a goal per game and had way more shots to handle. Why? Its easy to figure out. They were both playing in front of not very good Red Wing teams. They were about the same as this years Red Wing team. Poor defensively and not playing consistently. Nothing has changed. If Cossa comes up and gets a lot of games it will be the same. Talbot and Gibson have been in front of a bad Red Wing team. Lets see how Cossa does but it will be the same result. Until they improve this roster drastically. We have about six good players. I am fine with Cossa getting some games for the expereince he will have his ups and downs just like the other goalies. NOTHING WILL CHANGE UNTIL THE ROSTER IS IMPROVED.
The roster is quite good in the top 9 forwards and top 4 defenders. Talbot has been much better than his numbers. The issue with this team is the fourth line and Travis Hamonic and Gibson. I’m all for Cossa getting his chance but there are rules for how many nhl players a team can send down to the minors. Already they have Holl, and Gustafson. Watson is on a two way contract as well. If Coach would simply stop playing Hamonic every game, this team would have 7 more wins. He has been that bad. His play has directly led to losses. They also desperately need a physical presence like Watson here. He is also a better player than everyone on their fourth line. Wings are stuck with some bad contracts and players for this season. Next season those players are gone. Still there are a few moves that could get this team into the playoffs. I’m just waiting for Yzerman to make them.
” Still there are a few moves that could get this team into the playoffs. I’m just waiting for Yzerman to make them.”
With all due respect you are waiting for Yzerman to do something.
Call him up before the season is shot. he may not be any better. But it’s worth a shot.
Grand Rapids coach Dan Watson said. “…He’s working extremely hard in practice and it’s paying off for him.”
They’ve said that since the beginning of the season here in GR. Maybe his poor showing at the end of last year lit a fire in him to be the best that he can be. But this probably also plays a role in determining his call-up….
Can he help the situation? Or, would Detroit’s defensive messiness work against his development?
Do the Wings really want him dealing with weak (and sloppy) defensive play in front of him while he adapts to the higher pace of NHL play. I’d say, if they plan on keeping him, let him stay in GR and continue to build his confidence. If they’re thinking about trading him, bring him up and find out if he really has the potential to be a #1 NHL goalie (even if he loses games because of Detroit’s defensive weaknesses).
A decision like this is what they pay Yzerman the big bucks for. I just wish I had the confidence in his decision-making that I had six years ago.
Hi Older than chelli…. Your post more or less agrees with mine. The guys protected in GR by a strong team in front of him. He would more than likely be exposed in the NHL. I’d say wait on him until the start of next season. Check it out.
I would say bring him up to see what we got. At one time or another we have mostly all complained about the prospects getting moldy in GR and now we say leave another there till next year. Does anyone really believe our defence will be better next year. I certainly don’t.
OMG just bring him up already. Gibson can’t stop a beachball and Talbot is just slightly better. Cossa is either capable of playing in the NHL or he isn’t. Take the eye test and stop debating because this team isn’t going anywhere with goalie tandem.
This goalie tandem.
Might as well call him up now, is this team going to be significantly better next year – no
it will be the same team again so whether he plays a bit this year or next year he’ll get shelled. Let’s see what he can do.
He’s benefiting from nhl level D. ZERO reason to call up. He’ll be left out to dry.