Detroit Red Wings
Bednar Explains Why He Left Red Wings Organization
Wanted the chance to advance
Following a strong season with the ECHL Toledo Walleye, goaltender Jan Bednar was expecting that the offer to advance in the Detroit Red Wings organization would be forthcoming.
That didn’t happen.
“Unfortunately not,” Bednar told Czech website hokej.cz. “The offer to move up didn’t come, and I wanted to take a step forward in my career.”
He would make the decision to return to Europe. Bednar signed with Assat Pori of Finland’s top division, the SM-liiga.
Jan Bednář otti avauserässä isoja torjuntoja.
📺MTV Katsomo#Ässät #Liiga pic.twitter.com/JvFGX6IE4A
— Porin Ässät (@PorinAssat) October 31, 2025
“I needed a change, a new impulse,” Bednar said. “I had been stagnant (in North America) for the last two years.
“My agent and I decided that returning to Europe was the best option for me at the moment.”
So far, the move is paying dividends. In 15 games, the 23-year-old netminder is 10-3-1 with a 1.81 GAA, a .935 save percentage, and one shutout. He’s the league’s top puckstopper.
“I had some offers from the Czech Republic (his homeland), but my agent and I decided on Finland,” Bednar said. “There are several reasons. I was convinced primarily by their interest. They were the very first to contact us. They also called me in America several times.
“Another important aspect is the Finnish goalkeeping school. I believe it will help me grow further.”
Red Wings Opted For Postava
Last season was Bednar’s second with the Walleye. In 37 games, he went 23-8-6 with a 2.34 GAA, .914 save percentage, and four shutouts. He backstopped Toledo to the ECHL final. The Walleye lost in the final series.
“In retrospect, second place is a great achievement,” Bednar said. “But when you get to the final and don’t make it, it’s a shame.”
He also played four games in the AHL with the Grand Rapids Griffins. Bednar posted a 2.12 GAA and a .919 save percentage.
Jan Bednář -show 🦸♂️👊#Liiga #Ässät pic.twitter.com/NTKxHjZFdN
— Liiga (@smliiga) October 8, 2025
On an AHL contract with the Griffins, Bednar was hoping a permanent assignment to Grand Rapids would be his this season. Instead, the Red Wings went with another Czech goalie, signing free agent Michal Postava to pair with returnee Sebastian Cossa.
Still, Bednar isn’t forgetting about his NHL dream. A 2020 Red Wings draftee (he was selected 107th overall), the 6-foot-4, 196-pound Bednar, is on a one-year contract with Assat Pori.
“The NHL is still a goal for me that I want to achieve,” Bednar said. “I’m not giving up on it. I’ll do everything to get there.
“On the other hand, I’m not stressed about it. What’s supposed to happen will happen.”
Ding a Lings let a good one get away. Yzerman too concerned about protecting his boy Cossa.
So sign Bednsr to your nhl team. Oh wait, you don’t have one, nor are you the gm of one, and you don’t coach one or even wash the dirt laundry on one. Surely you know better though.
Bednar may turn out to be an nhl goalie someday. It’s possible, however Cossa is first round pick and has the much higher ceiling and Postava was dominating his league for two years. Yes Wings could have stuck with Bednar instead of signing Postava but they decided Postava was the better prospect. I hope it works out for Bednar and Postava, but truth is nhl goalie is probably the most difficult position in sports to make a career out of. Many guys have a good year or two then bad years. Finding both consistency and high skill in a goalie is like winning the lottery.
Did it?
You don’t know that. He hasn’t really played enough games above the ECHL to get a true assessment.
This comment section needs a block user feature.
Seconded!
Did it?
Did it?
Smart move by Bednar. He knows the Wings are real high on both Cossa and Augustine. I think of those guys Augustine has the best chance to be a better than average NHL goalie. He’s so smart, so composed in net, and rarely puts himself out of position. He’s like an anti-highlight machine, always in the right position, so rarely needs to make spectacular saves.
Don’t expect Augustine to remain with the organization; As for Cossa, I know that many of those here don’t agree but many NHL insiders have him rated as a backup. Lets hope they are wrong.