Interim head coach Anders Sorensen confirmed Mrazek is the odd man out in goal.
Interim head coach Anders Sorensen confirmed that veteran Petr Mrazek is the odd man out in goal after the Chicago Blackhawks acquired Spencer Knight in the Seth Jones trade.
It makes sense given that Knight and Arvid Soderblom are still in their 20s. Plus, Mrazek is struggling this season.
Anders Sorensen on the 3 goaltender situation and why it’ll be Arvid Söderblom and Spencer Knight moving forward pic.twitter.com/ikLpn1cZZL
— CHGO Blackhawks (@CHGO_Blackhawks) March 6, 2025
Instead of whining his way out of town like Jones did, Mrazek is taking his benching in stride.
Petr Mrazek said he understands Chicago’s decision to roll with Spencer Knight and Arvid Söderblom moving forward: “Sody and Spence are young guys, and they have their whole career in front of them. I’m going to be here to support them, I’m going to be happy around them, make…
— Charlie Roumeliotis (@CRoumeliotis) March 6, 2025
That is how a professional is supposed to be respond. Not blast the team, just understand that two guys are playing better.
Make no mistake about it, Mrazek is playing terribly.
Mrazek’s goals saved above expected is second worst in the NHL. Spencer Knight is ranked in the league’s top 25 and Soderblom is 32nd.
His goal against average is 3.46 with a .890 save percentage.
It almost feels like the reverse from last season when Soderblom’s numbers were that bad and Mrazek was the one doing his best to keep the Hawks in games.
It is what earned Mrazek a two-year contract extension and the team signing Laurent Brossoit last offseason. Brossoit needing offseason knee surgery and another procedure in-season changed the plan of rolling with those two veterans and exiling Soderblom to the AHL.
Soderblom has taken advantage of his new lease of his NHL life. That is why Mrazek is not getting a sweater and might be on his way out of town by tomorrow’s trade deadline.
Going with Knight and Soderblom is the right call.
Knight is the anointed long-term No. 1 goalie. Soderblom is showing he might be still worthy of being a starter too.
However, he might be better in a split top goaltender situation given Soderblom’s inconsistency during his entire NHL career.
His 3.05 GAA still ranks him 44th in the NHL. However, that high GAA is also because the defense in front of him has been weak.
Soderblom is still at the point where he should be given a one-year prove-it deal.
Someone does eventually have to go in this crowded goalie room. Let’s not forget Drew Commesso is still in Rockford with potential.
That means the most likely candidate to go is Mrazek as he could still provide value to a contender in a backup role. Also, if Brossoit’s knee eventually heals, he too could be dealt as one of the best No. 2 goalies last season with Winnipeg.
Better to go with youth as the team is going that direction anyway.
