What Detroit Red Wings fans want to know most about Sebastian Cossa is his ETA for the NHL.
There’s still no timetable for Cossa’s ascension to the show, but Cossa is doing all that he can to expedite his rise. Cossa made 32 saves Wednesday to fuel the Grand Rapids Griffins to a 4-1 road win against the Manitoba Moose. That extended Cossa’s streak of earning at least one point to 14 consecutive games (9-0-5).
On the season, Cossa, 21, shows a 2.53 goals-against average and .913 save percentage in 30 appearances. Cossa’s record is 15-7-8. By comparison, fellow Griffins goal Michael Hutchinson, an NHL veteran, owns a 2.77 GAA and .896 save percentage. His record is 14-11-3.
Cossa also is measuring up well against the AHL’s other high profile young goalies:
Yaroslav Askarov, 21, Nashville Predators
Askarov’s numbers: 2.36 GAA, .912 save percentage, 22-12-1, boasts 1.47 GAA, .943 save percentage in 82 minutes of NHL play this season.
Cossa made 37 saves to end the Milwaukee Admirals’ 19-game winning streak on a 4-2 decision. Askarov was Milwaukee’s goalie in that game.
Jesper Wallstedt, 21, Minnesota Wild
Wallstedt’s numbers: 2.72 GAA, .907 save percentage, 18-17-2, one NHL start this season
Cossa has beaten the Iowa Wild twice this season when Wallstedt was in the net.
Spencer Knight, 22, Florida Panthers
Knight’s Numbers: 2.59 GAA, .899 save percentage, 21-13-4, no NHL games this season
Cossa has not faced Knights’ Charlotte Checkers this season.
All four of these young goalies were first-round picks, and all are expected in the NHL. But none of them appear to have a clear timetable for being an NHL regular. As a general rule, the NHL doesn’t go with younger goalies. Buffalo’s Devon Levi, 22, is an exception.
Cossa was the first star in the Griffins’ win on Wednesday. He has given up two or fewer goals in 11 of his last 15 starts for Grand Rapids. The 6-foot-6 netminder has a save percentage of .900 or above in 11 of his last 13 appearances.
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