The Detroit Red Wings have not had a goaltender drafted by the organization make significant starts for the team in almost ten years. They also currently have one of the oldest goaltending tandems in the NHL with 38-year-old Cam Talbot and 32-year-old John Gibson. They’re one of only a few teams in the NHL that have a starting tandem of goalies over the age of 30.

So far this season, the two have kept Detroit above the waterline and managed to keep the Red Wings in the win column in the shootout too. However, Talbot is in the last year of a two-year contract, and Gibson has had issues staying consistent and healthy over the last few seasons. 

When, not if

The Red Wings have cycled through a series of goalies in the past few years, and none have stayed for longer than a year or two. That’s why Grand Rapids’ undefeated start to the season is so important. The Red Wings are relying on two veteran netminders, one coming off a season in which he only played 29 games, and the other is the second-oldest goalie in the league. In the past three seasons, they’ve played at least three goalies in a season, and in some spots carried three on the main roster and still needed a call-up. The list has included Ville Husso, Alex Nedelkjovic, Alex Lyon, and the (very brief) return of Petr Mrazek. All with mixed results, and almost all names from outside the organization.

Plan “A”

After a, to say the least, rough ending to his season in Grand Rapids, Sebastian Cossa is back as the starting netminder for the Griffins and is the presumptive first call-up. Last year was Cossa’s first as the #1 netminder for the Red Wings AHL affiliate, and he managed a .911 save percentage and 2.45 GAA with a record of 21-15-6. However, Cossa was shelled in the Calder Cup playoffs, and had been experiencing rough periods of play to end the regular season.

Sebastian Cossa 3/3 in the shootout win. #LGRW #GoGRG pic.twitter.com/NHJ2euY75J

— Red Wings Prospects (@LGRWProspects) March 15, 2025

In his two postseason appearances, he was 0-2 with a 4.51 GAA and .868 save percentage. Cossa was one of the first steps GM Steve Yzerman took in overhauling Detroit’s goalie system, and although his development has seen its fair share of fits and starts, the hope is that he develops into a starting-caliber goalie for the Red Wings by the end of this season. So far, he has a .939 save percentage and 1.75 GAA through four games this year. Cossa’s play has always been a little bit of a rollercoaster, but this season feels like a crossroads for him and his development within the organization.

Iron Sharpening Iron?

Perhaps as a form of motivation and to inspire competition in that direction, Detroit signed Czech goaltender Michal Postava over the summer. The 23-year-old was signed out of the Czech Extraliga after winning the league championship with HC Kometa Brno. Postava played in 42 games for the Czech team, posting a .921 save percentage and 2.39 GAA, along with a 23-18-0 record.

Another well tracked save for Postava!

Got a feeling Postava is going to force Sebastian Cossa to be the best version of Sebastian Cossa this season and that’s such a great thing for this organization #GoGRG #LGRW pic.twitter.com/XuilrM8MwZ

— Hockeytown West Podcast (@HockeytownWpod) October 12, 2025

Postava also had the best sv% in the Czechia playoffs, with a .940 save percentage and 1.97 GAA over 17 games for a 10-7-0 record. In Grand Rapids, he has a .934 save percentage and 2.22 GAA through his first four games in the AHL. Postava is slightly behind Cossa in terms of a pure numbers perspective, but with time adjusting to the North American ice, he and Cossa have the potential to be the best tandem in the AHL.

The real question is whether one or both can translate that kind of success to the NHL.