The Daily: Bednar Delivers in Kelly Cup Final; Habs Trade Talk

Goaltender Jan Bednar is playing on a Grand Rapids Griffins contract this season and clearly wants more.

Bednar (drafted by Detroit 107th in 2020) raised his postseason record to 7-2 with a 24-save performance in the Toledo Walleye’s 3-1 win against Trois-Rivières Lions on Saturday in Game 1 of the 2025 Kelly Cup Finals. He boasts a 2.35 GAA and .914 save percentage.

Jan Bednar 👏👏

Hear from Jordan Strack with Bedzy after his big game tonight as he had 24 saves in the Game 1 win. pic.twitter.com/mRUmYIDNdE

— Toledo Walleye (@ToledoWalleye) June 1, 2025

The Walleye are making their third appearance in the ECHL championship series since 2019, but they have never won the Kelly Cup.

Bednar, 22, will be free agent this summer after a 23-8-6 regular-season with the Walleye. He also posted a 2.12 GAA with a .919 save percentage with the Griffins.

Unless the Red Wings sign him, Bednar may look to sign with a European team, maybe in his native Czech Republic. The 6-foot-4 Bednar continues to improve each season.

The Walleye win and Bednar’s strong effort came in front of a standing-room-only crowd of 8,600 at Toledo’s Huntington Center. The Walleye are one of the ECHL’s strongest teams for fan support. Game 2 is Monday in Toledo.

Red Wings In Case You Missed It

It’s no surprise, but the Detroit organization chose not to sign draft pick Liam Dower Nilsson. He was drafted 134th in 2021.

Does Carter Bear fit what the Red Wings need from a first-round pick in the June Draft?

Paywall story: The Red Wings have drafted at least one Swede every year since 1993. That trend will likely continue because of  the success they’ve had with Swedish players. We look at a few Swedes the Red Wings might consider this month in the draft. Now is the time to take advantage our current sale of a one-year subscription for only $12. That’s not a misprint. We hope you will take advantage of this special offer. We need your support.  To subscribe now for $12, click here:

Red Wings Extra

If you look at Detroit player performances at the World Championships together, you can become encouraged. Honest.

A quick recap of Detroit Red Wings player performances at the IIHF World Championships! #LGRW pic.twitter.com/cKnP53hAdQ

— Winged Wheel Podcast (@WingedWheelPod) May 31, 2025

Hockey Now Network

Montreal: Marc Dumont explores some of the trade talk surrounding the Montreal Canadiens. 

Pittsburgh: Penguins sign skillful, young Russian forward to an entry level contract. Pittsburgh Penguins. 

Vegas: Hannah Kirkell offers three Golden Knights who could bee traded by July 1. Should the Red Wings be interested in any of them? Vegas Golden Knights.