Detroit Red Wings
Postava May Push Cossa on Detroit’s Goalie Prospect List
Sebastian Cossa may again start the season on the Grand Rapids Griffins roster and yet his status won’t be the same.
This season, Cossa likely will only be one hamstring injury or groin pull away from joining the Red Wings.
Unless the Red Wings sign a third goalie for their roster, Cossa is the team’s No. 3 goalie. He will be 22 when the season starts and his goalie partner Michal Postava, signed as a free agent out of the Czech League, will be 23.
“While we think we know what we have in Sebastian again,” Yzerman said. “As I sit here, I think Sebastian needs more time in the American League and we’re counting on him to play well. Michal played extremely well in the Czech League and we will see how he adapts over here for the first time.”
Today, Detroit Hockey Now views Cossa and Postava as Detroit’s top goalie prospects in that order. Cossa has shown continuing improvement in his first three professional seasons, while Postava has already won a Czech League championship.
How does the Czech League compare to the AHL? It depends upon who you talk to. However, regardless of how you view the Czechia top league, the fact that Postava was impressive when the championship was at stake is an important reason why the Red Wings signed him. Here is how the other Detroit Top Six goalie prospects stack up:
3. Trey Augustine, Drafted 41st, 2021, Michigan State (NCAA)
Nothing has changed in terms of how the Red Wings view Augustine. He’s an elite-level prospect. Some folks in the hockey world believe Augustine could be Detroit’s best goalie prospect.
During last season, it was presumed Cossa and Augustine would be together in Grand Rapids next fall. But Augustine decided to stay at Michigan State because he felt like he had unfinished business. He wants to win an NCAA championship.
That’s his choice. But both Cossa and Postava will be adding another year of professional experience while Augustine is chasing a college title.
4. Rudy Guimond, 169th, 2023, Moncton Wildcats (QMJHL)
Guimond found the spotlight this past season when he posted a 24-1 combined regular-season and playoff record after jumping from the USHL to the Wildcats. He owned a 1.73 GAA and .940 save percentage in the regular-season and 2.25 and .916 in the postseason.
Originally, Guimond planned to play at Yale. But he now plans to stay with the Moncton Wildcats who are coached by the highly respected Gardiner MacDougall. The Red Wings seem to have unwavering faith in MacDougall’s approach to mining high performances out of his players.
“He’s a really interesting guy,” Guimond said. “I think the big thing is that he tailors his way of doing things towards the person that you are. So he gets the best out of all of his guys. So. And that’s really impressive.
5. Carter Gylander, 191st, 2019, Toledo Walleye (ECHL)
In the second year of his Detroit contract, Carter Gylander is probably at the crossroads with this organization. With Jan Bednar now playing for a Finnish team, Gylander, 24, should be the main guy for the Walleye. He was solid for the Walleye last season (24-9-0, 2.61 and .907) in the regular-season.
If one of the Griffins goalies is called to Detroit, Gylander would be line in to play for the Griffins. He would benefit greatly if he could gain more AHL experience.
6. Michal Pradel, 75th, 2025, Tri-City (USHL)
This is a player to watch in this group. The Regina Pats made him the No. 4 pick in the Import Draft. The Red Wings might let him marinate until he’s well-seasoned. They appreciate his potential.
“Michael Pradel was someone that we saw a lot of,” Detroit assistant GM Kris Draper said. “We love his size, we love his athleticism, and he’s obviously right now in Tri-City and has an opportunity down the road to go to school. And that’s something that I think you’re excited about with any prospect to have the ability from either going USHL. Does he want to play in the CHL before he goes to school? I think that’s something that has opened up for these young players and a tremendous opportunity for them.”
Good goal-tending is a force multiplier.
Landon Miller not listed. Lost in the shuffle??
Goaltending prospects are unpredictable so you.should have at least three elite prospects, so believes Yzerman. Good job by the GM stuffing the cubbards. 1. Augustine. 2. Postava. 3. Cossa. The Red Wings have had great success with smaller goalies so Augustine has to be the guy. I’m curious could they lend Gylander to another AHL team or have him play in the SHL?
yzerman has drafted a goalie every draft
Agree great point JERRY. Everyone knows a hot goaltender can stop any team. One player. THAT is a force multiplier for the hot goalie’s team. Yzerman drafting promising goalies is good bang for the buck. If ONE or even TWO have solid NHL careers The wings load of prospects grow up strong behind them.