3 Red Wings prospects that shined in tough Griffins loss

The Grand Rapids Griffins had another game with plenty of experience to go around. Echoing their first game in the playoffs, the Griffins were ill-prepared. 

Like any tough lesson in life, more than one attempt is needed for the Griffins to get through the wall they run into. Whether it’s the first period of a game or first game of a series, the Griffins just take some extra time to get their engines running.

So long as they get the sparks to ignite a flame, it shouldn’t be a concern—just more unwanted experiences that, ideally, translate into success next game.

In a game that was less-than-stellar, there were still some positive takeaways in the Griffins’ first game against the Chicago Wolves.

3 standout players for the Griffins

There were, of course, more than just these three, but let’s focus on these Detroit Red Wings prospects:

This should be Michal Postava's last AHL season

There’s not much left to say about Michal Postava. 

After a stellar performance last round, Postava, is just building higher and higher in his AHL career (in what is likely his first and last season in the second-tier league in North America). Left and right, fans and media are converting to Post(ava)season. A couple times, I found myself picking up my jaw from the floor.

He is him.

Stopping 30 of 32 shots on goal for a 0.937 save percentage, there wasn’t anything more that could be asked of Postava. 

For Game Two of the series against the Wolves, head coach Dan Watson likely goes back to Postava. That said, if he taps the beast, Sebastian Cossa, it wouldn’t be surprising. 

Although Postava played all four games in the series against the Manitoba Moose (including back-to-back starts), the games weren’t that intense or that much of a workload. Given the runs Chicago have already taken at Postava, it may be in the best interest of the Griffins to play Cossa—just in case either he or Postava get injured. 

It’s clear that the Wolves came to wreak havoc on more than the scoresheet against Griffins. The referees have no interest in protecting Grand Rapids players, either, or allowing them to stand up for themselves. With such a fine line, it’s important that everybody stays ready as their number is just about to be called.

Carter Mazur keeps up his brand of hockey

The leading scorer (even if two of his goals were empty netters) from the first round of the Griffins’ postseason, Mazur has continued his strong run.

From his early days with the University of Denver Pioneers to his short stints with Detroit, Mazur always plays the same. Thursday night wasn’t any different.

He might have had a learning opportunity on a juicy giveaway, but Mazur still played a physical two-way brand of hockey. On a night when their top line really never got going, Mazur and his line mates, and the the third line served as the generators for an offense on life support. 

Axel Sandin-Pellikka is NHL ready

One of the best feelings is seeing prospects take steps in their development.  Sometimes the progression is minimal, hard to define. Other times, the steps in development slam against the boards and crumple to the ice. Take a look at this play that Axel Sandin-Pellikka made against the Wolves:

Whether it was incidental or his intention, Sandin-Pellikka has made steady improvements in his overall game since the start of the 2025-26 season. 

Sandin-Pellikka’s confidence is at an all-time high (at least in his North American career). He’s undressing opponents, driving offense and making effective plays in the defensive zone. Maybe it’s the lower level of competition or the more consistent role. It might even be the competent defensive partner (William Lagesson, who is worth watching in his own right).

Sandin-Pellikka’s offense is coming alive as well. In his last two games, he scored a beautiful goal and added an assist. 

Hopefully, he continues progressing into the superstar the Red Wings hope he will be. 

The Griffins' third line is still impressing

Even though none of Tralmarks, Rychlovský, and Wociech Stachowiak aren’t signed next season, the trio continue to demand extensions with their play. 

For all the praise that Postava gets (as he rightfully should), the performance of the Griffins’ third line shouldn’t be lost on Griffins fans. No matter the score, they go out and play the same way each shift. More often than not, they create positive momentum for Grand Rapids. 

In games with such high stakes, momentum is everything. It’s huge when a team has a line that can bring their teammates out of ruts.

Though the Griffins fell short in Game One, their third line did their thing. If we’re lucky they'll bring the rest of the Grand Rapids Griffins into the fight (that apparently they forgot had already started).

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