Detroit Hockey Now’s Kevin Allen discusses the Red Wings’ goaltending options at both the NHL and AHL levels should the team decide to trade Sebastian Cossa.
Allen believes that Cossa’s headed out at 23 going on 24 this November, with his waiver-exempt status expiring, and, as such, Detroit will have to determine whether Michal Postava is ready for NHL duty after his late-season surge in the AHL, and whether Trey Augustine’s ready to start in GR:
The question Yzerman must answer is whether he can trust prospect Michal Postava to start the season as John Gibson’s Detroit backup. If Yzerman has unwavering belief in Postava, then the Red Wings can play the much-heralded Trey Augustine 45-plus games with the Grand Rapids Griffins.
Postava, 24, has given the Red Wings reason to believe he is ready for the NHL. He outplayed Cossa by posting a 17-6 record with a 1.76 GAA and .937 save percentage. He surrendered more than three goals in a game only once in 33 regular season and playoff games.
The only concern about Postava is that this past season was his in North America. Is that enough for GM Steve Yzerman who values AHL experience? Postava did win a Czech championship two seasons ago.
Yzerman’s other option would be to sign an NHL veteran to pair with Gibson and let Postava have more time in Grand Rapids.
Allen also believes that we may see another “Michael Hutchinson” situation, in which the team would have Postava back up Gibson, but also bring in an AHL-level goaltender to mentor Augustine in Grand Rapids:
If the Red Wings are going to go with Postava, Yzerman might sign an AHL veteran to play with Augustine in Grand Rapids. Then, if the Detroit team suffers a goalie injury, the Red Wings would not have to rush Augustine with limited pro experience.
Detroit also has Carter Gylander, a restricted free agent. He played impressively well (7-0-1, 1.62 GAA) this past season when called up to Grand Rapids.
