Red Wings Activate J.T. Compher, Recall Michal Postava

When healthy, Compher is a crucial middle-six center for the Red Wings. Last season, Compher ranked No. 6 among all Red Wings forwards in time on ice per game, averaging 15:40. That included 1:32 time on ice per game on the penalty kill, and some sporadic usage on the power play.

Detroit inked Compher to a five-year, $5.1MM AAV free agent contract as part of the free agent frenzy in the summer of 2023. Compher more than lived up to that contract in his debut season with the Red Wings, potting 19 goals and 48 points in 77 games during the 2023-24 season.

Since then, his offensive production has since declined at a steady rate. In 2024-25, he scored just 11 goals and 32 points. Last season, his numbers took another hit, dropping to 11 goals and 28 points.

While Compher’s offense has eroded, he remains a capable two-way center and a reliable rotational player on the penalty kill. His $5.1MM cap hit may have been somewhat cumbersome in past years, but with the way salaries have skyrocketed leaguewide, it’s not an entirely unfair salary for a strong two-way center, even one with diminished offensive ability.

In any event, the Red Wings stand to benefit substantially from Compher’s return off of injured reserve as he is a clear upgrade over Dries. Dries, 32, is a strong AHL scorer who has carved out an admirable career as a solid call-up option, though his utility in the NHL is limited. With Compher sidelined, Dries was able to play in six NHL games. He failed to register a point, though he did fill the role Compher vacated on the team’s penalty kill, averaging 1:21 time on ice per game short-handed.

Beyond shuffling a pair of veteran centers on and off their NHL roster, the Red Wings have also made a move to shore up their situation in net. Backup goaltender Daniil Tarasov is day-to-day with an undisclosed injury. As a result, the Red Wings will call on Postava to back up starter John Gibson.

Postava, 24, has not yet made his NHL debut and seems likely to just back up Gibson for as long as Tarasov is injured. But even if it is unlikely to come on this emergency recall, Postava’s NHL debut may not be too far. So far in his pro career, Postava has been an incredible find by the Red Wings’ European scouting staff.

An undrafted netminder, Postava was playing second-division hockey in his native Czechia as recently as the 2023-24 season. He spent that season with HC Přerov in the second tier of Czech hockey, but posted a .943 save percentage in 42 games and was named the league’s best goaltender.

The following season, Postava was elevated to the top level of Czech hockey, the Extraliga, and became the No. 1 goalie for HC Kometa Brno. He was once again the league’s best goaltender, posting a .921 save percentage in 42 regular-season games.

Postava then went on a 17-game playoff run where he posted a .940 save percentage, winning Brno an Extraliga championship. Those performances attracted the attention of NHL scouts, and Postava ended up signing a two-year entry-level deal with the Red Wings in the summer of 2025.

Since arriving in North America, Postava has only continued his stellar track record. He backed up top prospect Sebastian Cossa for the Griffins last season, going 17-6-0 in 25 games, posting a .937 save percentage along the way.

So far this season, Postava is 4-0-0 with a .954 save percentage and a 1.25 goals-against average. In a game report posted earlier this week, Elite Prospects scout Max Lee projected Postava as a potential NHL backup goaltender “if he continues to elevate his game.”

It seems more likely than not that Gibson will get the nod in goal for as long as Tarasov is injured, but thanks to today’s recall, there exists the chance that Postava will finally be tested at the NHL level.