The Postman delivers for Red Wings in his first start

There are times when people are thrown in the deep end without much of a chance. Knowing when to pull the trigger, especially with balancing the risks versus rewards is near impossible. Sometimes, we just have to cannonball into the pool. It might make a splash, which could be for the better. A chain reaction of waves may be likely.

It seems like the head coach of the Detroit Red Wings, Todd McLellan, is finally letting go -- to some degree, at least.

Knowing when to play - let alone start - a rookie goaltender is an incredibly tall task for any coaching staff and management group. Unlike defensemen or forwards, there’s no sheltering a goalie. Sitting for a few shifts isn’t an option.

When a forward or defenseman makes a mistake, sometimes it can result in a turnover or something minor. When a goaltender makes a mistake, the consequences are usually dire.

Michal Postava got something that the Red Wings’ former blue chip goalie prospect Sebastian Cossa never did: a chance. It's hard to determine the success of a goaltender without giving him NHL starts. Thankfully, it seems like the Red Wings are rectifying that mistake now.

While Sebastian Cossa never received an NHL start with the Wings, Postava secured his first (well-deserved) start in the NHL. 

Michal Postava backstops Detroit Red Wings against Edmonton Oilers

Geared up in his iconic helmet, with nods to both the Red Wings and Grand Rapids Griffins, Postava sure looked as ready as any rookie goaltender could be in his first start (and convincing win) against the most elite of elite in the NHL.

Who doesn’t love a goalie with swagger?

Rather than ease Postava into his role, the Red Wings started the rookie against two of the league’s best forwards and one of the best overall teams in the NHL.

Perhaps they saw it as a scheduled loss. Why not throw Postava into the deep end and see what he could do?

When asked why Postava started against the Oilers, McLellan stated he’s a competitive kid (Stu Grimson, analyst for the Red Wings, referenced the exchange during Monday night’s game). In his postgame availability, McLellan made it seem like it was a matter of time before Postava earned his first NHL start. McLellan emphasized that the current preseason setup doesn’t allow rookie goalies the needed runway to steal a job. 

How Postava earned an NHL start

Postava joined the Red Wings organization as a free agent signee. A highly touted young player from the Czech league, the netminder had multiple NHL clubs pursuing him (including Edmonton, funny enough). Thankfully, Jiri Fischer convinced the Dominik Hašek-inspired goalie to sign with Detroit. 

After just a season with the Griffins, Postava’s play convinced the Red Wings to trade top prospect Sebastian Cossa for the 23rd overall pick in the 2026 NHL Entry Level Draft. 

Play-by-play analyst and voice for Detroit’s TV broadcast, Ken Daniels, shared that Postava likes to play a calm and steady game (according to the young man).

In his first NHL start, the Postman more than delivered on this.

Postava doesn’t just sit back in his net and let plays come to him, he acts almost as a third defenseman at times. From his poke checks to slowing pucks down, he isn’t just a typical goalie. Instead, he is as active as any goalie in the crease. His head on a swivel, his puck tracking impeccable,and his athleticism all combine into a formidable option for the Red Wings.

McLellan mentioned that his anticipation of play is a big part of Postava’s game. It was unreal against the Oilers. Quite frankly, it likely leaves fans - and possibly his teammates - wanting to see more from Postava.

While we aren't sure when Postava will get another start with the Red Wings, at this point, it sure looks like it's his job to lose.

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