Cossa has posted two strong AHL campaigns back to back, cementing his status as the heir apparent to Detroit’s presently unstable crease. His primary long-term competition, Trey Augustine, is three years younger and had a shaky performance at the World Juniors (despite winning a gold medal). Cossa made his NHL debut this past December, taking over mid-game from Ville Husso and stealing an overtime win against Buffalo. Expect to see him up with the big club increasingly often over the next couple of years as he makes the final jump to become an NHL regular. At 22, the towering Canadian is still on the young side, but he could very well capture lightning in a bottle and go on a brief run down the stretch.

It felt like Cossa took a step back in 2022-23 after a dominant, three-season run in the WHL. He struggled across three AHL games, then spent the rest of the year in the ECHL, a league that does not tend to see many blue-chippers. But he posted excellent ratios for Toledo across 46 games before returning to the AHL in 2023-24 with increased confidence. He has firm control over the net in the minors now and should continue to gain valuable experience for another year or two there before beginning to make some noise with Detroit. There will forever be scrutiny on Cossa and the Wings for the decision to take him ahead of fellow phenom, Jesper Wallstedt (MIN). But for now, the two are back on a similar trajectory and Cossa is one of the most valuable prospect tenders out there.

The 6-6 netminder had a very disappointing showing at the Traverse City Prospects Tournament. The former first-round pick struggled against the Dallas Stars as he allowed two goals on 16 shots and then proceeded to give up six goals on 21 shots facing the Columbus Blue Jackets in the following game over the weekend. To finish off the tourney, the highly touted Wings prospect was shelled for five goals on 17 shots against the Toronto Maple Leafs. Overall, he registered a 9.19 GAA and a .759 SV%. This has to be somewhat concerning for GM Steve Yzerman and this staff as Cossa is projected to make the leap to Grand Rapids with the Griffins of the AHL this upcoming season. Thankfully, it was just a two game early sample size. He will have a chance to improve his standing at training camp and is still worth owning in most dynasty league formats, but he is someone to keep an eye on now that second-round pick Trey Augustine is in the system.

The Wings top goaltending prospect will likely take the reins this season in the AHL with Grand Rapids. Cossa will get the majority of starts with the Griffins moving forward after a successful season with the Toledo Walleye (ECHL). The 6-6 goaltender had a rough start in 2022-2023, seeing three games in Grand Rapids before being demoted to Toledo. Cossa went 26-16-1 in 46 games with the Walleye posting a 2.56 GAA and a .913 SV%. He then turned it up a notch in the playoffs with a 7-2 record and a 2.32 GAA and a .917 SV%. Cossa has the size and athletic ability that made him the first goaltender taken in the 2021 draft. All eyes will be on the 20-year-old prospect as he projects to be the goaltender of the future in Motown. He is a must own in all dynasty league formats. Stay tuned.

Cossa was selected in the first round, 15th overall by the Detroit Red Wings in the 2021 NHL Draft.