The Detroit Red Wings search high and low for talent acquisition. With the state of the free agency and trade markets, though, their best value in acquiring talent stems from their AHL affiliate, the Grand Rapids Griffins.
In previous seasons, general manager Steve Yzerman signed for volume. Have enough warm bodies and competition will filter out the best players. To some extent, it worked, as we saw some young players break through and start the season in Detroit. Once they hit the inevitable rookie wall, their playing time lessened or they were sent to Grand Rapids. (Why a player like Axel Sandin-Pellikka had to sit for two weeks in his full rookie campaign in North America I still can’t guess, but that’s what the Wings elected to do.)
This upcoming season, the Red Wings don’t have much of a choice. Unless they make a big splash and are willing to significantly overpay for talent, in-house solutions will have to do.
The good news is that the Griffins have plenty of talent to choose from. Talent that should have every opportunity to make the club (and make it better).
How the Calder Cup playoffs affect the Red Wings
There were plenty of high flying storylines to come out of the Griffins’ first playoff series. The third line for Grand Rapids was the difference maker in the series. Whether or not that success translates to the NHL in any way, though, remains to be seen.
That said, any of Jakub Rychlovský, Eduards Tralmarks, and/or Wojciech (Wojo) Stachowiak would improve the Red Wings bottom six. None of these three players have contracts for next season, so let’s focus on players officially within Detroit’s system next season (barring any sort of surprising trade).
Goaltending has a bright future in Detroit
For all the debate and concerns about goaltending for the Detroit Red Wings, next season they should be set.
Both Sebastian Cossa and Michal Postava have earned their chances to back up (if not fight for the starting role) in Detroit. Cossa hasn’t played in the postseason yet, but he will be effective if/when he's needed. Right now, Griffins’ head coach Dan Watson is playing the hot goalie. So far, Postava (AKA Posty with the Mosty) has put up elite postseason numbers, so it’s hard to change goalies. Any dip in play (or heaven-forbid an injury) and Cossa will be ready to go.
If a trade happens, the Red Wings should expect a great return for either Cossa or Postava. Hanging on to both and letting them start in the preseason (and even get a handful of games in the regular season) may be needed for a meaningful return, though. Detroit has rostered three goalies previously, so it is a possibility for a short term solution.
A new depth defenseman has emerged
Anyone looking for a bottom-pairing defenseman? Is physicality needed to complete the role? How about an inclination to join the rush—only when appropriate?
Anton Johansson (AnJo) might be your guy.
Johansson is a prototypical Swedish defenseman: mobile, two-way and loves to join the rush (he doesn’t cheat, but takes calculated risks at appropriate times, for the most part). He’s a mean Swede on the ice who relishes the game of hockey. Dripping personality for days, Johansson is just fun. Effective, but fun. Somehow, he always seems to have a smile on his face, too, and it might be a bigger smile than even Moritz Seider.
Although he’s new to North America, he’s played in the Swedish Hockey League (SHL) for parts of five seasons. His game is already a pro-style game. In 14 games for the Griffins this season, he showed a smooth transition to North American ice.
Literally, everything this team lacks, Johansson has in his game. While Axel Sandin-Pellikka might be everyone’s first choice, Johansson fits more of the traditional third-pairing role archetype.
It’s quite likely, if not a requirement, that Yzerman trades at least a defenseman or two this offseason. Whether it’s a veteran or defensive prospect, there’s no reason to have such a surplus (especially when they aren’t playing games in the NHL).
William Wallinder is another option. Having the patented “Wallibomb”—a wicked shot that finds the back of the net at some of the most important times in games. He might only score twice a year and once in the postseason, but he makes them count. Both Wallinder and Albert Johansson (AlJo) have played on the right side, but Wallinder has primarily played on the left side in his North American career.
Another name gaining traction is Antti Tuomisto. On the most recent broadcasts, Bob Kaser (voice of the Griffins) has mentioned Tuomisto is drawing attention from around the league. Whether the Red Wings choose to re-sign him or let him go to free agency, Tuomisto has a budding professional career. In the first playoff series, Tuomisto served as a nice foil to Gustafsson on the top pair.
One player stands out above the rest
Plenty of other guys should get their flowers. Carter Mazur tops the list with five points (four goals, one assist) in four games played. Again, that third line was the reason the Griffins won the series. Anytime momentum started shifting to the opposition, the third line came out and earned momentum back for the Griffins.
Of all the individual players, though, none stood out more than Michael Brandsegg-Nygård.
Brandsegg-Nygård was made for the North American-style game. More importantly, he’s a beast in the playoffs. It’s not just the offense (he’s scored twice and assisted on another goal), though his shot is wicked. The physicality keeps fans entertained and boosts momentum for his team.
However, it’s the little extra that he gives in plays that will separate his game. Here’s an example:
Nice effort from MBN at the end of a shift #LGRW pic.twitter.com/9iHxAOb4X3
— Red Wings Prospects (@LGRWProspects) May 9, 2026
Even though he’s exhausted, Brandsegg-Nygård still makes the effort to poke at a puck. Then, Brandsegg-Nygård followed it up with an offensive chance.
As he continues to build on his foundation (big frame, improve endurance, and fine-tune his missile of a shot), he’ll only get better.
His perplexing deployment in the NHL last season gives pause, but if he's given the opportunity in the top six, he will thrive.
He might be the perfect answer to the top-six winger openings. Brandsegg-Nygård primarily has to improve his confidence and comfortability when playing in the NHL. Along with the normal development steps a prospect takes, are in for a treat when Brandsegg-Nygård sticks in Hockeytown full time.
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