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.”
