Red Wings Blue Chip Prospect Struggles in Pro Debut Season, Drawing Major Concern

It has been an inconsistent start to the season for the Grand Rapids Griffins, the AHL affiliate of the Detroit Red Wings. The club has alternated a win and a loss through its first five games, and the setbacks have come with some unwelcome news for Detroit.

Trey Augustine, the Red Wings' top goalie prospect, joined Grand Rapids late last season and struggled to adjust to the pro level, stopping 36 of 41 shots in a pair of losses.

The 21-year-old is still searching for his first win this season, having traded starts with Michal Postava, last season's breakout netminder. Through five games, one of the two has clearly looked better.

In his two starts this season, Augustine has allowed eight goals while making 48 saves for two straight losses, extending his winless streak at the pro level to four starts.

There is a case to be made that the Michigan native hasn't received the most help this season, but over his next few starts his numbers will need to improve as his partner in the crease has looked far better.

Postava has been the clear standout so far this season, building on a terrific first pro season with the Griffins, winning his first three starts and allowing just four goals against and a .950 save percentage. His efforts earned him AHL Player of the Week honors this past week.

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It is very early, but Augustine's results are a concern given how heavily Detroit is leaning on him. The 2023 second-round pick is now the organization's primary goalie prospect after the Red Wings traded Sebastian Cossa at the recent NHL Draft. The deal brought back the 23rd overall pick, which Detroit used on J.P. Hurlbert.

Cossa, now with the Utah Mammoth, has already looked sharp in limited NHL action. He won his first start with his new club, stopping 18 of 19 shots. He was dealt to ease a logjam of goaltenders in Detroit's pipeline, but if Augustine cannot turn things around, the move could look like counting chickens before they hatch.

Postava has shown promise and could eventually be a big-league option, but the organization is clearly counting on Augustine as the goalie of the future. With John Gibson entering the final season of his current contract, time is of the essence, and Augustine's first full pro season will remain a hot topic in the Red Wings organization.

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