Michal Postava - or "the Postman", as some refer to him - delivered his first NHL win this week against the Edmonton Oilers. Not only did Postava accomplish this on the tail end of the Detroit Red Wings' four game road trip, he did it against Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, the most lethal duo in the NHL. He did it in a shootout, stopping McDavid, Draisaitl and former first overall pick Ryan Nugent-Hopkins.
To say Postava earned that win is the understatement of the season.
Between his outstanding 4-3 victory against the Oilers and his jaw-dropping .957 save percentage in the AHL, it's more than clear that Postava has what it takes to be an impact player in the NHL.
The question is: will the Red Wings let him?
Right now, Postava has to contend with John Gibson and Daniil Tarasov for the starter's role. While Gibson hasn't played up to his best standard, Tarasov has performed quite well in a limited sample size. If Postava keeps up this level of production (and if the Red Wings keep him in the NHL), interim general manager Shawn Horcoff might have to make a decision about the team's goaltending tandem.
Red Wings need to consider all their options
John Gibson and Daniil Tarasov carry value for different reasons. Gibson is a tried-and-true battle-tested netminder capable of taking on a huge workload. Tarasov, on the other hand, is a talented younger backup that's shown potential as a starter. For teams like the Edmonton Oilers, New York Rangers and Florida Panthers, either of these players could prove immensely beneficial.
The question, however, remains around the return -- and how soon another team would like to make a deal.
Now, the Red Wings could certainly run with three goaltenders as they have in the past, but that would require them to waive a player on the active roster. They've already got to worry about this when Mason Appleton and Marco Kasper make their return, so adding another wrench into the equation just seems like a recipe for disaster. (Also, we can't forget about Simon Edvinsson's return!)
There are just too many moving parts right now to try to run a three-man goaltending rotation.
What a return could look like
That said, it's important to temper expectations on a goaltender trade. Whether a deal happens now or later is up to both the Red Wings and the trade market. For those hoping to secure a high draft pick, I wouldn't hold your breath: the fact that a prospect like Sebastian Cossa secured a first round pick is more of an exception than the rule itself. Trading someone like Gibson, regardless of pedigree, likely won't net a massive return.
The closer teams inch to the trade deadline, the likelier it is the Red Wings earn a higher return, though. Unfortunately, if the team believes Postava is ready, they don't exactly have the luxury of time. They'll need to move quickly to secure a spot for him, lest they risk keeping him in the AHL for too long.
No matter what the Red Wings decide, it's clear Postava has what it takes to be an NHL netminder.
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