Petr Mrazek was traded to the Chicago Blackhawks along with the No. 25 pick in the 2022 Upper Deck NHL Draft by the Toronto Maple Leafs on Thursday for a second-round pick (No. 38).
Chicago selected defenseman Sam Rinzel with the No. 25 pick.
Mrazek was 12-6-0 with an NHL career worst in goals-against average (3.34) and save percentage (.888) in 20 games (18 starts) this season, his first in Toronto. The 30-year-old missed significant time because of a groin injury.
Mrazek has two seasons remaining on a three-year, $11.4 million contract ($3.8 million average annual value) he signed with Toronto on July 28, 2021.
Selected by the Detroit Red Wings in the fifth round (No. 141) of the 2010 NHL Draft, Mrazek is 140-102-31 with a 2.64 GAA, .909 save percentage and 24 shutouts in 295 games (268 starts) with the Red Wings, Philadelphia Flyers, Carolina Hurricanes and Maple Leafs. He is 12-15 with a 2.43 GAA, .911 save percentage and five shutouts in 29 Stanley Cup Playoff games (28 starts).
It was the third trade the Blackhawks made Thursday. They sent forward Alex DeBrincat to the Ottawa Senators for the No. 7 (Kevin Korchinski) and No. 39 picks in the 2022 draft, and a third-round pick in the 2024 NHL Draft. Forward Kirby Dach was then traded to the Montreal Canadiens for the No. 13 (Frank Nazar) and No. 66 picks in the 2022 draft.
We have traded goaltender Petr Mrázek and the 25th overall pick for Chicago’s second round selection (38th overall). pic.twitter.com/OKkSZ1b86e
— Toronto Maple Leafs (@MapleLeafs) July 8, 2022
Leafs GM Kyle Dubas on moving on from Mrazek and creating cap flexibility and exploring all options in goal whether it’s free agency or via trade. pic.twitter.com/7Eznh0atT4
— David Alter (@dalter) July 8, 2022
Dubas on why it didn’t work out for Mrazek in Toronto. pic.twitter.com/mTUyjminja
— David Alter (@dalter) July 8, 2022
Kyle Dubas on the Leafs goaltending plans: "With the cap space we have now, every option is available to us, whether that’s Jack or the others (in free agency) or via trade. I think it opens up a lot for us."
— Jonas Siegel (@jonassiegel) July 8, 2022
Dubas says at this point he’s comfortable with Kallgren and Woll battling it out for No. 2. Focus on finding best goalie they can get.
— luke fox (@lukefoxjukebox) July 8, 2022