There aren't many prospect pools across the NHL as deep as the Detroit Red Wings are at goaltender. With Sebastian Cossa and Trey Augustine leading the charge and a surging Michal Postava behind them, competition for the near future is fierce.
Then you have netminders like Michal Pradel, drafted in June 2025 and unlikely to even make it to the AHL for another few years, at least. You know how long it takes for goaltenders to develop, I'm sure, but if you don't, most of them are looking at a five-to-seven-year process.
Still, that's why I like seeing teams draft them in the early-to-middle rounds, and, ideally, take one every year and make that position as deep as you can. That said, the second I saw that Steve Yzerman took a goaltender in the third round, I applauded. Perfect.
Michal Pradel already brings ideal length, and productivity is on the way
Step 1 for Pradel? Get used to the North American game, and it's why you'll see him in the USHL for 2025-26. He's got that ideal length for a goaltender, and what's more? He's already showing that, by coming to North America full-time, he wants to master the different style of play quickly.
And to be honest, he didn't look too bad during his first taste with the Tri-City Storm. Pradel saw action in 14 games, ending with a 2.41 GAA, an 0.899 save percentage, and a shutout. Those are numbers he can work with, and as he adapts, look out for that skill-set to come in full use.
More than just his ideal, 6'5 build, too, which is the first thing that jumps out. One reason for his early success is that tracking pucks isn't an issue. Nor is reading sequences, something that'll give him an advantage in 2025-26.
He also brings a cool, calm, and collected demeanor, something that isn't easy for goaltenders making a transition in their game. Players like that can come up big when the stakes rise, so treating the situation like any other will win Tri-City a few more games than if they had someone else.
Overall, Pradel will bring his A-game this year, but most of us are more concerned about what we'll see from Sebastian Cossa and Michael Postava in the AHL, and what Trey Augustine will do in college. Those three can be the near-immediate future in the crease, while someone like Pradel can take his time and develop in a "set and forget" situation among the fanbase.
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