The Red Wings Have Goaltending in Order for 2023-24

The Grand Rapids Griffins used eight different goalies this past season. The only time they seemed to have consistency was when Detroit Red Wings Alex Nedeljkovic or Magnus Hellberg were on the roster.

The Red Wings improved their goalie depth this summer with the signing of Alex Lyon to be the organization’s No. 3 goalie. He will presumably be the Griffins’ No. 1 goalie unless needed in Detroit.

The Red Wings made sure they will have enough depth this season by re-signing John Lethemon. The former Michigan State standout was 18-1-3, with a 1.99 goals-against average playing for the Toledo Walleye. He was named ECHL Goaltender of the Year, Lethemon shared the net with Sebastian Cossa during the playoffs.

Cossa in Grand Rapids?

Training camp performances will sort out who ends up where in the system. But here’s what we should expect to see next season;

Toledo Walleye: John Lethemon (2022-23 free agent signing) and Jan Bednar (Drafted 107th overall in 2020)

Grand Rapids Griffins: Alex Lyon (2023 free agent signing) and Sebastian Cossa (Drafted 15th overall in 2021).

Detroit Red Wings: Ville Husso (2022 trade with St. Louis) and James Reimer (2023 free agent signing)

The Red Wings also added depth in net by drafting Team USA goaltender Trey Augustine (41st overall) and Taft high school (Connecticut) goalie Rudy Guimond (169th overall),

Augustine thinks the position well. He has superb anticipation. He is headed to Michigan State where he will be teammates with Red Wings prospect Red Savage. Guimond is more of a project, but the Red Wings like his technique.

“It’s hard to find goalies, so I think you have to add them,” Detroit assistant GM and director of amateur scouting Kris Draper said. “We were able to get Rudy Guimond later, a big 6-foot-4 goaltender that has a nice path that we can be patient with. Obviously, with Trey going up to Michigan State, we’re gonna get a lot of touches with him. We didn’t draft any goalie last year and we have two this year. Cossa made a big step this year in Toledo. We’re expecting and looking forward to another big step going forward. We gotta start getting some goaltending prospects in the system.”

The Red Wings also like Colgate goalie Carter Gylander (Drafted 191st in 2019). He’s also 6-foot-4.