Dan Watson, the head coach of the Detroit AHL team, will be joining goalkeeper prospect Sebastian Cossa in the competition for the backup goalie position with the Detroit Red Wings. As the Red Wings approach a critical season in their franchise history and celebrate their 100th anniversary, they are eager to move past years of playoff disappointments.
Over the last nine years, the Red Wings have been rebuilding and have now established a strong pool of promising talent. Goaltending has been a persistent challenge since the era of Chris Osgood and GM Steve Yzerman, who temporarily addressed the issue by signing former All-Star goalie John Gibson, recently secured for another two seasons. Their long-term strategy includes highly-rated goalie prospects Trey Augustine and Sebastian Cossa.
Detroit has proudly brought back the iconic “Hockey Town” slogan for its centennial season. Augustine is expected to spend another year or two in Michigan, which means his timeline is longer compared to Cossa, who was selected 15th overall in the 2021 NHL Draft.
Grand Rapids head coach Dan Watson shared with The Hockey News that there is significant uncertainty about whether Cossa will return to the Griffins next season. Watson highlighted Cossa’s dedication and drive to improve, stating that he is mentally prepared to compete for a spot with Detroit, whether he stays in Grand Rapids or not.
Watson sees another year with the Griffins as highly beneficial for Cossa, especially since he earned a place in the AHL All-Star Game last season due to his strong performances. Veteran goalies like Jack Campbell and Hasso will likely reduce their playing time later in the season, which would allow Cossa to handle most of the starting duties if he remains with the team.
Cossa has played 84 games with the Griffins, recording a 44-25-15 record with a goals-against average of 2.52 and a save percentage of .909. The 22-year-old from Hamilton made his NHL debut in December 2024, stepping in for starter Hasso during a game against the Buffalo Sabres where he stopped 12 shots and two shootout attempts, earning his first NHL win.
Watson, who has coached Cossa throughout his tenure with the Griffins, noted their strong relationship and his commitment to supporting Cossa’s success. Cossa will be competing with veteran Cam Talbot, currently Detroit’s backup in training camp, a 38-year-old with extensive experience. This competition highlights a compelling storyline as Cossa steps closer to potentially securing a significant role, especially if Talbot starts the season slowly.
Fan Take: This update is crucial for hockey fans because it signals the emergence of a new generation of talented goaltenders in Detroit, potentially ending years of uncertainty in net. Cossa’s progress and competition against Talbot could bring fresh energy and stability to the Red Wings’ goaltending, which is key to the team’s future success and playoff aspirations.
