By Jordan Long
The Chicago Blackhawks are going through another rough season as they rebuild the team. Last year they ended at 26-49-7 for 59 points. This year they aren’t improving with a 14-32-2 record, a total of 30 points, tied with San Jose for the least amount of points in the NHL. That didn’t stop Chicago from agreeing to a two-year extension with goaltender Petr Mrazek.
Mrazek is in his second season with the Blackhawks. He was traded from the Toronto Maple Leafs to Chicago. The Blackhawks knew he had two more years left on his deal. Last year, Mrazek’s record was 10-22. His goals against average ended at 3.66, the worst in his career. Mrazek’s save percentage stood at .894.
The Blackhawks knew it wasn’t his fault for the poor performance in goal and kept him for another year. This season, the Blackhawks are struggling again but the front office knows they are trying to build a winning team. Mrazek’s stats are better this season. He is 12-17 with a goals against average of 3.01 and a save percentage of .907. Chicago feels Mrazek is their goaltender moving forward. They agreed to a two-year extension, paying him an average salary of $4.25 million a year.
According to ESPN.com, Mrazek said, “It’s something that we’re trying to change here, the culture and everything, and it’s been fun for me, playing every night and being healthy, feeling good about yourself, and having good games. It definitely helps. But the No. 1 thing for me is to turn things around here as a team and start winning games soon.”
Chicago is expecting to be a winning team in the next two years. Mrazek is their key in the net to do so. Chicago still needs to improve in free agency. At least they don’t have to worry about who their goaltender will be.
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