Blackhawks’ Petr Mrazek placed on IR; Kevin Korchinski, Drew Commesso called up

Credit: Raymond Carlin III-USA TODAY Spo

The Chicago Blackhawks announced a trio of roster moves Sunday.

Between the pipes, goaltender Petr Mrazek has been placed on the injured reserve with a groin injury. In a corresponding move, the club recalled netminder Drew Commesso from the AHL’s Rockford IceHogs.

Additionally, the Blackhawks also recalled defenseman Kevin Korchinski from the IceHogs. The seventh overall selection from the 2022 NHL Draft, Korchinski has made 21 appearances with Rockford this season, posting two goals and nine assists for 11 points.

After seeing 76 contests with the Blackhawks a year ago in which he finished with 15 points counting five goals and 10 assists, the 20-year-old rearguard failed to make the big club out of this year’s training camp and was assigned to Rockford in early October. Korchinski is expected to make his season debut with the Blackhawks on Monday versus the New York Rangers.

As for Mrazek, the veteran goaltender has put impressive numbers this season, despite the Blackhawks’ struggles. In 20 outings, the the 32-year-old Czech-born netminder has posted a 7-11-1 record with a .906 save percentage and 2.83 goals-against average.

Mrazek is in his third year with the Blackhawks. He wrapped up the 2023-24 campaign with an 18-31-4 showing alongside a .908 save percentage and 3.03 goals-against average. Per PuckPedia, Mrazek has one year remaining on his contract, carrying a $4.25-million annual average value.

In Rockford, Commesso owns a 4-6-0 record with an .879 save percentage and 3.34 goals-against average. A 2020 second-round selection by the Blackhawks, Commesso is a graduate of the NCAA’s Boston University Terriers and made his pro debut with the IceHogs last season.

The Blackhawks sit at the bottom of the NHL standings with an 8-17-2 record and 18 points. Chicago is in the midst of a five-game losing skid, including Saturday’s 4-2 defeat to the Winnipeg Jets that marked the debut of interim head coach Anders Sorensen following the recent dismissal of former bench boss Luke Richardson.