CHICAGO — The Chicago Blackhawks introduced one other two-year contract on Wednesday, agreeing to an extension with goaltender Petr Mrazek.
Mrazek’s new deal runs by way of the 2025-26 season and carries a salary-cap hit of $4.25 million. He’s 12-17-1 with a .907 save share and three.01 goals-against common forward of Wednesday evening’s recreation at Seattle.
“It is one thing that we’re making an attempt to alter right here, the tradition and all the pieces, and it has been enjoyable for me, taking part in each evening and being wholesome, feeling good about your self, and having good video games. It undoubtedly helps,” Mrazek mentioned. “However the No. 1 factor for me is to show issues round right here as a workforce and begin profitable video games quickly.”
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The rebuilding Blackhawks have been one of many NHL’s worst groups this season, however they’ve handed out three related contracts to veteran gamers since Jan. 12. Nick Foligno agreed to a two-year take care of a $4.5 million salary-cap hit, and fellow ahead Jason Dickinson obtained a two-year contract with a median annual worth of $4.25 million.
“Going ahead, I believe there’s quite a lot of younger guys that may show themselves and be within the NHL for a very long time and assist this franchise to go ahead,” Mrazek mentioned, “and we’re those who’re going to attempt to assist them get higher and get the place they’re alleged to be.”
The contracts for Mrazek, Foligno and Dickinson may make for a quiet NHL commerce deadline for Chicago, which is already flush with draft capital and prospects. The Blackhawks have loads of cap house, so they may tackle a nasty contract in a commerce with a contending workforce.
Mrazek, who turns 32 on Feb. 14, was acquired by Chicago in a July 2022 commerce with Toronto. He went 10-22-3 with a 3.66 GAA and .894 save share in his first season with the Blackhawks.
“I believe final yr he had somewhat little bit of damage bother, and he corrected that,” coach Luke Richardson mentioned. “He had an excellent end final yr for us, and this yr he is been nice. He got here in in nice form.
“I believe we’re making an attempt to handle his load so he would not get overworked, however the schedule’s labored out high-quality for him and he is performed nice.”
Mrazek was a fifth-round choose within the 2010 draft and made his NHL debut with Detroit in 2013. He’s 162-141-35 with 25 shutouts, a 2.78 GAA and a .907 save share in 366 profession regular-season video games.