Sebastian Cossa is ON FIRE, but will the Red Wings even call him up? That's the burning question as the Grand Rapids Griffins, powered by their stellar goalie, continue their dominant run.
Just a day after being shut out by the Charlotte Checkers, the Grand Rapids Griffins, with Sebastian Cossa in sensational form, bounced back with a resounding 5-2 victory over the same Checkers. Cossa was the undisputed star of the show, turning away an incredible 38 saves to secure the win. This victory was effectively a 3-2 affair, with the Griffins adding two crucial empty-net goals to put the game beyond doubt.
Cossa's performance this season has been nothing short of spectacular. He boasts an impressive 20-4-2 record, a remarkably low 1.99 goals-against average, and a phenomenal .928 save percentage. He's making a powerful argument for a call-up to the NHL, but here's where it gets complicated: the Detroit Red Wings are currently enjoying a successful season themselves, which could impact their decisions regarding prospect promotions.
The scoring for the Griffins was spread around, with Alex Doucet, Ondrej Becher, and Antti Tuomisto netting the first three goals. Sheldon Dries and Nate Danielson sealed the deal with those late empty-netters. Tuomisto was rightly recognized as the game's No. 1 star, and defenseman Shai Buium contributed significantly with two assists. Other players like Amadeus Lombardi, Michael Brandsegg-Nygard, and Jakub Rychlovsky also chipped in with assists.
And this is the part most people miss: the Griffins themselves are a force to be reckoned with in the AHL. Their current record of 35-7-2-1 gives them 73 points and the best points percentage (.811) in the entire league. They are truly a powerhouse!
Red Wings Prospects in the Spotlight:
- Eddie Genborg and Anton Johansson, both Red Wings prospects, were involved in an incident in the Swedish Hockey League where Genborg was penalized for a blow to the head of Johansson. You can see the video of this collision.
- Brent Solomon, another Red Wings prospect, credits a family move to Minnesota for igniting his passion for hockey. He's been making a name for himself in the USHL.
Around the League - Trade Deadline Buzz:
- Montreal Canadiens: Rumors suggest there's a possibility of trading Patrik Laine before the March 6 NHL trade deadline. Could this be a shrewd move or a desperate gamble?
- Atlantic Division Rivals: The Toronto Maple Leafs and Florida Panthers are facing an uphill battle to even qualify for the playoffs this season, with only a slim chance remaining.
More Prospect Updates:
- Carter Bear continues his impressive offensive streak. After a three-goal game recently, he added an assist in the Everett Silvertips' 4-2 win on Saturday. He's now on a tear, with points in eight of his last nine games, accumulating 23 goals and 26 assists for 49 points in 36 games. Over his last 92 games with the Silvertips, he's amassed a remarkable 131 points!
- Six-foot-four defenseman Larry Keenan, grandson of a former NHL player, had two assists and a plus-two rating in UMass's 5-2 victory over UMass-Lowell. Keenan, a 117th overall pick in 2023, has been turning heads with his strong play this season and has certainly caught the attention of the Red Wings.
A Question for You:
With Sebastian Cossa's outstanding AHL performance, do you believe the Red Wings should prioritize his development in the minors, or is it time to give him a shot in the NHL, even if it means disrupting the team's current success? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
