The Grand Rapids Griffins\u2019 AHL playoff competition, starting this week, will play a role in determining what the Detroit Red Wings roster will look like next fall.<\/p>\n
That\u2019s particularly true at the goaltender position.<\/p>\n
The logical projection: John Gibson returns as Detroit\u2019s No. 1 goalie. The No. 2 goalie would be a promotion from Grand Rapids. As a 2021 first-round pick, Sebastian Cossa looks to be the favorite. He has 120 AHL games on his resume. But the situation is complicated by the fact that Michal Postava has been exceptional season and Trey Augustine has now with the organization. TSN listed Augustine as the league\u2019s No. 1 prospect goalie.<\/p>\n
\u201cI want to see how the playoffs play out in Grand Rapids,\u201d GM Steve Yzerman said. \u201d We certainly have an interesting trio of young goaltenders with potential and it\u2019s a very competitive environment for them and so be able to make a better assessment or a better answer when Grand Rapids season ends and hopefully they have a long playoff run.\u201d<\/p>\n
Griffins Play Saturday<\/p>\n
The Griffins play the Manitoba Moose (best-of-five) Saturday and Sunday at 3 p.m. ET in Games 1 and 2 on the road. They then return to Grand Rapids for games Wednesday, May 6 and then Friday and Saturday (if needed)<\/p>\n
Augustine has limited professional experience. He may need games in Grand Rapids before being NHL ready. But Postava was impressive in Grand Rapids.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe weren\u2019t really sure what to expect (from Postava), but we were very encouraged by just watching him,\u201d Yzerman said. <\/p>\n
Yzerman added: \u201cWe\u2019ve got good prospects down there. The team\u2019s record has been good and all four goaltenders that we\u2019ve played down there have been (good). Trey\u2019s only got into two games but Carter Gylander coming up has played very well.\u201d<\/p>\n
A long Griffins run is made critical by the reality of the new 84-game NHL schedule coming next season. Because of that, training camps are shorter with teams only playing four preseason games. The chances of a youngsters impressing coaches will be reduced in the fall. <\/p>\n
That\u2019s why forwards and defenseman, such as Michael Brandsegg-Nygard, Carter Mazur, Amadeus Lombardi, William Wallinder, Anton Johansson, Axel Sandin-Pellikka, John Leonard, etc, need playoff games<\/p>\n
Red Wings In Case You Missed It<\/p>\n
Detroit GM Steve Yzerman wanted more from his captain Dylan Larkin<\/a> this season.<\/p>\n Behind the paywall: Detroit Hockey Now looks at possible free agents the Red Wings could add to make the team harder to play against<\/a>. To subscribe, click here:<\/a><\/p>\n Detroit prospect Carter Bear <\/a>has been on the scoresheet in eight of 11 games in the WHL playoffs.<\/p>\n Red Wings Extra<\/p>\n Yzerman has said there will be no changes to the coaching staff this offseason. . . NHL goalies had a combined averaged save percentage of .896 and John Gibson finished at .901. He was .925 in December, .920 in January, .944 February (only three games), .899 in March and .880 in April. . . Brent Solomon (109th, 2025) has a goal and an assist in four playoff games for the Sioux Fall Stampede.<\/p>\n Hockey Now Digest<\/p>\n Boston: The word \u201cembarrassing\u201d was thrown around often after Boston\u2019s loss to Buffalo. Charlie McAvoy used an expletive with it for added emphasis. Jack Studley has the story. Boston Bruins.<\/a><\/p>\n Montreal: Marc Dumont looks at the Canadiens late-game collapse against Tampa Bay. Montreal Canadiens.<\/a><\/p>\n Philadelphia: Are Game 5 scratches coming for the Philadelphia Flyers?<\/a><\/p>\n