The Detroit Red Wings entered this season with two veteran netminders raising question marks about the club’s future.
The trade for John Gibson was largely seen as a stopgap move as the Wings clearly needed an experienced starting netminder. Last season, the Cam Talbot-Alex Lyon tandem didn’t quite make a dent in the universe.
So, going out to get someone like Gibson, practically the only netminder with starting experience on the market, seemed like a no-brainer.
But here’s where things get somewhat complex. The Red Wings have two solid goaltending prospects in the pipeline. Sebastian Cossa and Trey Augustine.
Let’s start with Cossa. For some time, the thought was that the Cossa would get a real shot at the NHL this season. That changed when Gibson came aboard. Cossa is the starter in Grand Rapids and looks just fine. He’s played two games, racking up a 2.50 GAA and .914 save percentage.
But it’s another goalie that’s raised some eyebrows in Grand Rapids. Michal Postava, an undrafted 23-year-old, has looked stellar in his two games this season. He’s posted a 2.01 GAA and a .939 GAA.
So, that situation alone could spark somewhat of a debate. When do the Red Wings promote one of their young goalies to the NHL? The most logical candidate would be Cossa. While that may not be reasonable now, their ETA would be next season. Talbot is set to become a UFA. As such, the Red Wings have a reason to move on from the veteran netminder.
That move would leave Postava as the starter in Grand Rapids and likely third on the depth chart. But that’s something that could also change quickly.
Red Wings’ future starter could come home from college
The other promising goaltending prospect on the Red Wings’ depth chart is Trey Augustine. Augustine was the Wings’ second-round pick in 2023. He has been a star in the NCAA and was earmarked to start the season in Grand Rapids.
However, Gibson’s arrival changed those plans. Since Cossa didn’t make the jump to the NHL, there was no real opportunity for Augustine to get regular playing time in the pros. Instead of butting elbows in the AHL, Augustine returned to Michigan State for one more season.
Thus far, he’s posted a 2.22 GAA and .903 SV% in four games. That looks good, especially when considering the NCAA isn’t exactly the most defensive-minded league in the world.
A strong season from Augustine, coupled with Talbot’s likely departure, could mean Cossa jumps to the NHL to tandem with Gibson, while Augustine gets to share the net with Postava in Grand Rapids.
From there, it could be one more year before the Red Wings have a Cossa-Augustine tandem manning the crease. Gibson will be a UFA after next season. So, the timeline fits just perfectly for the team’s plans.
There’s only one catch: Augustine does not have a contract this season. But that’s not really a problem. The Red Wings have until August 15, 2027, to sign him on an entry-level deal. That situation means there’s time for all the pieces to fall into place at the best time.