When the Toronto Maple Leafs signed Petr Mrazek, it was determined he’d be the perfect tandem partner for projected starter Jack Campbell. Turns out he was anything but, and now he finds himself as a prime trade candidate to be shipped out of Toronto after just one season.
Mrazek battled injuries throughout the 2021-22 season and Maple Leafs general manager (GM) Kyle Dubas needs more financial flexibility this offseason to address a number of things and is very likely trying to move Mrazek and his $3.8 million salary which covers the next two seasons. As we creep closer to the Stanley Cup Final, let’s examine three teams Dubas may be able to secure as a trade partner this summer.
Chicago Blackhawks
There’s been some reports out there stating that the Maple Leafs and Chicago Blackhawks are starting to
emerge as trade partners again as apparently Dubas and Blackhawks GM Kyle Davidson have smoothed things over since the debacle at the trade deadline. To refresh your memory, they were close to completing a blockbuster deal that would have landed Toronto both Marc-Andre Fleury and Brandon Hagel. Davidson leaked the offer and frankly it pissed off Dubas quite a bit. Now another deal could be in the works this summer.
If the relationship has been smoothed over, the Blackhawks do have a giant hole in their crease with no NHL-caliber goaltenders signed. They have quickly decided to rebuild after going for it last offseason and now Mrazek could be seen as a starter who won’t win too many games. When you’re trying to rebuild and hoard top draft picks, winning hockey games isn’t the most ideal strategy, so this is certainly something to watch in Chicago as the offseason unfolds.
Mrazek went 12-6-0 in 2021-22, posting a 3.34 goals-against average (GAA) and a .888 save percentage (SV%). A down season after impressing many teams in 2020-21 with his 2.06 GAA and .923 SV% when he was the starter in Carolina. Dubas will surely be pointing to his goalie’s stats from the past couple of seasons as he’s likely negotiating deals with several teams as the Stanley Cup Playoffs continue.