Red Wings Draftee Perfection Continues Into ‘Q’ Playoffs

The Detroit Red Wings’ 2023 NHL draft class is showing potential to become the deepest of Steve Yzerman’s first six draft classes.

It’s not just because defenseman Axel Sandin Pellikka (19th, 2023) could be a regular in Detroit next season and Nate Danielson is one of the Grand Rapids Griffins’ top offensive players.

In addition to Danielson, Sandin Pellikka and Trey Augustine highlighting the 2023 group, the Red Wings have already signed Kamloops Blazers 37-goal scorer Emmitt Finnie, a seventh rounder (201st) who has joined the Grand Rapids Griffins. Plus, goalie prospect Rudy Guimond, a sixth rounder (169th), is 16-0 in the regular-season playing for a strong Moncton team in the Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League.

Rudy Guimond(6th round ‘23)
33 Save Shutout in a 4-0 win 1st ⭐️

Rudy gets the opportunity and shows what he can do. Excellent performance by him. I would expect it to be his net now. Moncton leads the series 2-0. #LGRW pic.twitter.com/rB7fUwFmCf

— Red Wings Prospects (@LGRWProspects) March 30, 2025

Now, he’s in the QMJHL playoffs, and his first start was a 33-save shutout to give Moncton a 2-0 lead in the best-of-seven series against the Quebec Remparts. Guimond was the game’s No. 1 star. The 6-foot-4 Yale recruit came into the postseason with a 1.73 goals-against average and .940 save percentage. Game 3 in the series is Tuesday.

Crowded Stable

Since placing an emphasis on putting together a collection of talented young goalies, the Red Wings have created a deep stable led by Sebastian Cossa (15th, 2021) and Trey Augustine (41st, 2023). With Michigan State getting knocked out of the NCAA tournament earlier than expected, the Red Wings would like Augustine to turn pro. But Augustine hasn’t yet revealed his plans.

The Red Wings also have Carter Gylander (191st, 21) signed, and Jan Bednar (107th, 2020) has played well this season for both the Toledo Walleye and Griffins. He currently has a Griffins contract. Guimond rounds out the top five. At 6-foot-7, Cossa is the biggest in the group. At 23, Gylander is the oldest.

Cossa has already played one game in the NHL, winning his debut in relief of Ville Husso a while back. At worst, Cossa likely will be Detroit’s No. 3 goalie next season. He could start in Grand Rapids, and then move up if someone is injured or doesn’t play well. But if he plays well enough to earn a spot in Detroit, he will get it.