Mrazek just isn’t the guy the Blackhawks need.
The Chicago Blackhawks’ season has been difficult to watch. Chicago is coming off of a 7-5 loss to the Vegas Golden Knights on Thursday and with the trade deadline around the corner, there needs to be some immediate changes. One of them is trading away Petr Mrazek.
Last season, Mrazek seemed poised to be Chicago’s No. 1 goaltender and Arvid Soderblom as the backup.
However, that plan has not played out as expected. Instead, Soderblom has taking more of a starting role and the team needs to go out to find a reliable backup goaltender.
Petr Mrazek has not been himself of late. A change of scenery could benefit both him and the Blackhawks.
Here are three reasons why the Blackhawks should move on from him…
1. Mrazek’s Performance and Injury Concerns
At 33 years old, Mrazek has failed to find consistency in net for the Blackhawks this season. He is 10-19-2 of the season with a 3.46 goals-against average and a .890%.
Injuries have also been a recurring issue throughout Mrazek’s career, which could be difficult on the Blackhawks to rely on him. His last injury was a groin injury he sustained on Dec. 7 in the Blackhawks 4-2 loss to the Winnipeg Jets, which was also Anders Sorensen’s first game as interim head coach.
Chicago would need a reliable, durable, and consistent goaltender in the crease. Something that Mrazek has not proven to be.
2. Not Part of the Team’s Rebuild
The Blackhawks are in full rebuild mode and are focusing on young talent that can contribute to the team’s success for the future.
Mrazek does not fit in this timeline. He is under contract through the 2025-26 NHL season with a $4.25M cap hit, but when Chicago is competitive again, he will not be around.
Instead of holding onto an aging veteran, the Blackhawks should trade him for draft picks or prospects or free up cap space to sign a younger, more stable goaltender in the offseason.
3. Call up Commesso
The Blackhawks have a promising young goaltender in Drew Commesso that can lead the Blackhawks to the promise land in the near future.
Despite the struggles in the AHL this season (8-12-2, 2.95 GAA, .896%), Commesso will be part of the future for Chicago. He’s 22 years old (he turns 23 in July) and will have plenty of time to grow if he gets the NHL experience that he needs.
Drew Commesso made his NHL debut this 2024-25 season for the Hawks, which was a 4-1 loss to the New Jersey Devils on Dec. 14.
Although Commesso’s debut wasn’t his best, more NHL experience would help him develop into a reliable backup goaltender for Arvid Soderblom. Instead of keeping Mrazek, Chicago should give Commesso more NHL opportunities to prove himself at the highest level.
Petr Mrazek is not the guy the Blackhawks need to keep around.
As the trade deadline approaches, Chicago should look to move Mrazek whether that’s for draft picks, prospects, or a more reliable young goaltender.
The future is about development, growth, and experience. It’s time that the Blackhawks fully commit to that process.
