Detroit — An important factor in playoff hockey is goaltending.
If that proves to be true this spring for the Grand Rapids Griffins, the Red Wings’ minor-league affiliate might have an edge on opponents.
The trio of Sebastian Cossa, Michal Postava and Trey Augustine form what could be one of the deepest position groups in the AHL.
With the Red Wings’ own goaltending issues cloudy next season after starter John Gibson, how these playoffs evolve for the Griffins with whichever goaltender takes control, could go a long way toward determining who backs up Gibson.
“I want to see how the playoffs play out in Grand Rapids,” general manager Steve Yzerman said. “We certainly have an interesting trio of young goaltenders with potential, and it’s a very competitive environment for them. (We’ll) be able to make a better assessment or a better answer when Grand Rapids’ season ends, and hopefully, they have a long playoff run.
“We’ve got good prospects down there. The team’s record has been good and all four goaltenders (including Toledo’s Carter Gylander) that we’ve played down there have been (good).”
Cossa would appear to be the choice to handle the bulk of the playoff work, and possibly have an edge to finally land a Wings roster spot next season.
Cossa, 23, was the Wings’ 2021 first-round draft pick (15th overall), and the Wings have been patient in his development. It may have paid off, as Cossa arguably had his best professional season, going 26-8-4 with a 2.33 goals-against average, .915 save percentage and five shutouts.
“Looking back at past seasons, having strong starts or a strong finish (but) not being able to have that full season, it was a big thing for me this year,” Cossa said. “There’s still been a couple blips — a game or two here and there — but for the most part, I feel like I’ve been more consistent.”
Postava, 24, an undrafted free agent from Czechia, proved to be a shrewd signing by the Wings. Postava went 17-6-1, with a sterling 1.71 GAA and .937 SVS, and four shutouts and quickly adapted to the North American pro game. He looked confident and assured from the start of Wings training camp and the exhibition season.
“We weren’t really sure what to expect, but we were very encouraged by just watching him,” Yzerman said.
Both Cossa and Postava earned emergency call-ups to the Wings this season, though neither saw any NHL game action.
Augustine, 21, turned pro after completing his junior season at Michigan State in March. Augustine won the Mike Richter Award (best Division 1 goaltender) and was able to get into two Griffins games, both losses.
Still, Augustine is ranked as the No. 1 goaltending prospect outside of the NHL by several scouting services and appears headed toward an NHL career.
Whoever mans the Griffins’ net as they begin the AHL playoffs Saturday in Manitoba (best-of-five Central Division semifinals), will get to backstop what has been a dominant team all season.
The Griffins went 51-16-5 (107 points) and set numerous franchise and AHL records along the way:
The Griffins’ 40-7-3 record through 50 games was the best record through 50 games in the AHL’s 90-year existence, as was their 23-1-1 record through 25 games.
They had a 17-game road points streak that set a new AHL record.
The Griffins tied a franchise record with a 15-game win streak from Nov. 22 to Dec. 27, 2025.
The team achieved a 29-1-2 start (60 points) through 32 games was five points better than any other AHL team in league history in that span.
Providence (110 points) actually passed the Griffins to earn the best record in the AHL, after a run of injuries and call-ups to the Wings decimated the Grand Rapids lineup.
But it didn’t diminish what a historic and successful Griffins’ season it was.
“You show up every day and go to work,” captain Dominik Shine said. “But when you step back, and we will at some point, we’ll be proud of what we’ve done.”
Manitoba Moose vs. Grand Rapids Griffins
Playoffs: AHL Central Division semifinals, best-of-five series
Season series: Grand Rapids (51-16-5, 107 points) was 6-1-1 vs. Manitoba (35-29-8, 78 points)
TV/radio: AHL-TV/WOOD 106.9 FM
SERIES SCHEDULE (ALL TIMES EASTERN)
Game 1: Saturday at Manitoba, 3 p.m.
Game 2: Sunday at Manitoba, 3 p.m.
Game 3: Wednesday at Grand Rapids, 7 p.m.
Game 4 (if necessary): May 8 at Grand Rapids, 7 p.m.
Game 5 (if necessary): May 9 at Grand Rapids, 7 p.m.
ted.kulfan@detroitnews.com
@tkulfan
This article originally appeared on The Detroit News: Goaltending depth backstops Grand Rapids Griffins’ dominance
Reporting by Ted Kulfan, The Detroit News / The Detroit News
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
