The Chicago Blackhawks are at it again.
After trading away Alex DeBrincat and Kirby Dach earlier Thursday, the Hawks have now acquired goaltender Petr Mrazek from the Toronto Maple Leafs. The Leafs didn’t retain any of Mrazek’s salary in the trade.
This deal ultimately boils down to Chicago moving up from No. 38 to No. 25 overall by taking on Mrazek, who has two more years left on his contract at $3.8M annually.
The Leafs signed Mrazek last summer to a three-year, $11.4M contract to play in a tandem alongside Jack Campbell. Mrazek struggled through an injury-riddled season, posting an 0.888 save percentage over the course of 20 games.
Making this move opens up some much-needed salary cap room for the Leafs, who are close to the ceiling with Rasmus Sandin (RFA) and Campbell (UFA) in need of new contracts.
Mrazek gives the Blackhawks a veteran goaltending option who’s under control for this season and next. Kavin Lankinen and Collin Delia, who split Chicago’s net after Marc-Andre Fleury was traded at the trade deadline, are both unrestricted free agents.
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