Chicago Blackhawks goalie Petr Mrázek didn’t outright say Thursday that he wants to be traded — a day after the team removed him from the goalie platoon — but he sounded open to it.
“We’ll see what happens there tomorrow (with the NHL trade deadline) or in the summer,” Mrázek told reporters after practice at Fifth Third Arena. “You don’t want to just jump into something quickly for something that might not make sense. So we’ll see what happens now or in the summer.”
It’s a fast-developing situation for both Mrázek, who began the season as the starter, and the Hawks.
Interim coach Anders Sorensen announced after Wednesday’s 4-3 overtime loss to the Ottawa Senators that Spencer Knight — whom the Hawks acquired from the Florida Panthers on Saturday as part of a package for defenseman Seth Jones — and Arvid Söderblom will split time in goal.
Sorensen couched it Thursday as an “organizational decision.”
Pressed about whether he now prefers to be traded, Mrázek kept his cards close to the vest.
“Like I said, it’s a discussion that I had with (general manager) Kyle (Davidson) and my agent (Gerry Johannson) as well,” he said. “We don’t want to jump into (or) rush decisions or anything.
“If anything comes and makes sense for Kyle and hopefully for me as well, then we might have a discussion.”
Sorensen said after Wednesday’s game that rotating three goalies with 20 games left in the season would be untenable.
“Spencer coming in, it’s tough to play three goalies,” he said.
Knight, 23, was the No. 13 pick in the 2019 draft by the Panthers. Söderblom, 25, is having the best season of his four-year career.
Mrázek has been a steady hand for the Hawks, but he turned 33 last month and has a history of groin injuries.
“I understand their decision, understand where they’re coming from,” he said. “Nothing changes for me. I’m going to come in and have a good attitude, work hard and make sure that I feel good about my game and the practices.”
Sorensen said that attitude is “huge” given the awkward circumstances.
“He’s a pro,” Sorensen said. “He’s a good person. He’s kind of where his two feet are and what he can control, and he’s been great. It’s huge for the younger guys too.”
Here’s a breakdown of the Hawks’ three goalies.
Petr Mrázek
2024-25 stats: 3.46 goals-against average, .890 save percentage, 33 games (33 starts).
Contract: $4.25 million cap hit, under contract through 2025-26, unrestricted free agent for 2026-27.
Outlook: My, how events have turned. The Hawks traded with the Toronto Maple Leafs to get Mrázek in July 2022, then signed him to a two-year extension in January 2024.
But 14 months later, the Hawks appear ready to ship him off — if they can find a taker — after getting a shiny new object in Knight.
“I’ve been in way worse situations in my career,” Mrázek said. “I’m a positive person. … I believe when people are positive, good things will happen. Definitely not in a bad mood or anything.”
He played in 29 playoff games from 2015-21 with the Detroit Red Wings, Philadelphia Flyers and Carolina Hurricanes, compiling a 2.43 GAA and .911 save percentage. He also appears to have a handle on past groin problems.
Mrázek said he isn’t disappointed and doesn’t harbor any ill will toward Knight or Söderblom.
“Sody and Spence are young guys, and they have their whole career in front of them,” he said. “It’s a business. That’s what happens in hockey.”
Arvid Söderblom
Blackhawks goaltender Arvid Söderblom blocks a shot by Oilers defenseman Darnell Nurse on Feb. 5, 2025, at the United Center. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)
2024-25 stats: 3.05 GAA, .904 SV%, two shutouts, 30 games (27 starts).
Contract: $962,500 cap hit, expiring contract, restricted free agent for 2025-26.
Outlook: Söderblom admitted he wrestled with mixed feelings after hearing the news about Mrázek.
“There’s only a certain amount of spots on a team, and the team is going in one direction and they have to make tough decisions,” he told the Tribune. “It’s always tough to see a teammate, a friend, in that situation.
“He’s been a great teammate and great mentor for me this couple years. So it’s a part of the business.”
The Hawks’ business decision comes at an opportune time for Söderblom. He’s having a career season in a contract year and gets to keep putting games on tape.
“They’re showing trust in me and the belief in me,” he said.
Söderblom added that he’s looking forward to getting to know Knight and “battle for starts,” but now isn’t the time to lose focus.
“The one thing I’ve been doing good, I feel like, is just taking it day by day, focus on my development, and then everything else kind of falls in place,” he said. “So my goal is just to keep going the way I’ve been doing and just take it all the way through the last 20 games and see where we’re at when the season is finished.”
Spencer Knight
2024-25 stats: 2.34 GAA, .912 SV%, two shutouts, 24 games (22 starts).
Contract: $4.5 million cap hit, under contract through 2025-26, RFA for 2026-27.
Outlook: His Hawks tenure not even a week old, Knight looked sheepish while asked to discuss the shelving of Mrázek and the competition with Söderblom.
“Sody is closer to my age and Petr has been around the league for a while, so he knows all the ins and outs,” Knight said. “It’s been good to have those guys in your corner, just helping you.
“(Mrázek is) a great goalie, has had a great career. It’s fun to watch him because I remember watching him almost as a kid, really. He’s always been established in this league. I’m just doing as I’m told and (being) a good teammate to everyone.”
Knight has become the overnight favorite to be the Hawks’ goalie of the future. That means he’s in for a lot of work with goalie coach Jimmy Waite.
“We’re on the same page about collaboration,” Knight said. “I’m open to all of his ideas, and he’s got so many great ideas and has worked with a lot of great goalies and been around for a good amount of time.
“I was able to work with good people in Florida and I’ve found things I also like through working with (Sergei Bobrovsky) and Rob Tallas in Florida, and I’ll bring those here to collaborate.”
Going forward with Waite, Knight said, “it’s a two-way street. I’m open to all the things he does, and he has said he’s also looking to see what I like too.”
