Detroit Red Wings
Bednar Bids Adieu to Red Wings Organization
Czech goalie opting to become UFA
Officially, Jan Bednar wasn’t property of the Detroit Red Wings. The Czech netminder was under contract to the AHL Grand Rapids Griffins, Detroit’s top farm club. However, that appears to be coming to an end.
Bednar, who was helping backstop the Toledo Walleye to the Kelly Cup ECHL final along with Red Wings prospect Carter Gylander, is not planning to return to the Detroit pipeline next season. In a post on his Instagram account, Bednar was bidding goodbye to the Walleye and the city of Toledo.
“Toledo, thank you for two unforgettable years,” Bednar’s post read. “Would’ve never thought when I came here two years ago that I’m gonna be leaving with memories of a lifetime and meet some of my best friends in life. It’s been a pleasure, love you T-town.”
Former Red Wings Pick Becomes UFA
The 107th overall selection by the Red Wings in the 2020 NHL entry draft, Bednar, 22, would never sign with Detroit. However, he would agree to terms on successive one-year AHL contracts with the Griffins in each of the past two seasons. Outside of four games with the Griffins in 2024-25, he saw all of his pro action between the pipes for the Walleye.
In 2024-25, Bednar went 23-8-6 for the Walleye with a .914 save percentage. His goals-against average was 2.34 and he posted four shutouts.
G Jan Bednar played in the fifth most games in @ToledoWalleye franchise history (76) among goaltenders. https://t.co/OzUVfgeoZZ https://t.co/7eewoTV7Cj pic.twitter.com/cRx03FyjHg
— Mark Monroe (@MonroeBlade) June 17, 2025
Perhaps Bednar was seeing the handwriting on the wall last week when the Red Wings were signing free agent Michal Postava, also a Czech netminder, to a two-year contract. That leaves Postava, 2021 first-round pick Sebastian Cossa and Gylander as goaltending prospects all under contract to the Red Wings for next season.
In all likelihood, it would’ve meant the best hope for Bednar should he sign another contract with the Griffins would be a third full season with the Walleye. Instead, he’ll become an unrestricted free agent.
