Prospect Sebastian Cossa is ready for the Detroit Red Wings. The problem is the Red Wings are not quite ready for him.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s the details and the consistency in that, but he\u2019s ready,\u201d Griffins coach Dan Watson said. \u201cFor me personally watching him this game (against Texas) and throughout the entire season, he\u2019s continuing to build. . . it\u2019s 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\u2019s going to be ready.\u201d<\/p>\n
Watson can testify that the 6-foot-7 Cossa is focused on readying himself for the opportunity when the call comes, whenever that is.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut what he does day in and day out, how he prepares himself for practices,\u201d Watson said. \u201cHow he prepares himself for games, what he eats, his rest and recovery.\u00a0 Everything now is dialed in for him and he\u2019s been doing a really good job of staying consistent at that. And the results are there.\u201d<\/p>\n
Shutout High<\/p>\n
Cossa seems surprised to have five shutouts, which is the most by a Griffins goalie since Jared Coreau<\/a> had six in 2015-16.<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t really set those kind of (individual goals), but it\u2019s pretty cool,\u201d Cossa said. \u201cDon\u2019t know if I\u2019ve gotten five shutouts in a season before. I\u2019ll feel good about the game right now and our defensive zone. \u201c(Our) defensive play has been really good lately.<\/p>\n While the Red Wings are pleased with Cossa\u2019s improvement this season, figuring out the next step isn\u2019t 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\u2019t usually play regularly until they are eligible for waivers. That\u2019s usually between the ages of 23 and 25.<\/p>\n Some GMs do try to expedite the development, but it doesn\u2019t always work. The Buffalo Sabres tried it with Devon Levi, and now he\u2019s back in the AHL at 24. Jesper Wallstedt,<\/a> drafted five picks after Cossa, made the Minnesota Wild roster this season and looked like he could be 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.<\/p>\n