Blackhawks trade Petr Mrazek, Craig Smith to Red Wings for Joe Veleno
The Detroit Red Wings traded for goaltender Petr Mrazek and center Craig Smith on Friday ahead of the NHL Trade Deadline, sending center Joe Veleno to the Chicago Blackhawks in exchange.
Mrazek arrives in Detroit after posting a 10-19-2 record with the Blackhawks this season while boasting a .890 save percentage. While the numbers have taken a toll in recent months, Mrazek started the season hot with a 5.43 goals saved above expected up to Nov. 30 – good for 13th among NHL goaltenders with at least 10 starts.
The veteran goaltender has spent the past three years with the Blackhawks after spending the 2021-22 season with the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Mrazek has had plenty of ups and downs in his career.
Injuries have plagued him at points, but he has shown the ability to be a starter. At this point, the 33-year-old is likely better suited as a backup, and with Spencer Knight joining the fray and Arvid Soderblom playing well, Mrazek looked to be the odd-man-out in Chicago.
In 13 NHL seasons, Mrazek has a 178-174-40 record with 25 shutouts and a .906 save percentage. He also has a 12-15-0 record with five shutouts in 29 playoff games, primarily with the Detroit Red Wings and Carolina Hurricanes.
Mrazek has one year left on his contract with an AAV of $4.5 million.
Meanwhile, Smith joins the Red Wings in a season that has seen him score nine goals and 16 points for the Blackhawks, whom he signed with as a free agent on July 1, 2024.
The 35-year-old has played 968 regular season games, scoring 220 goals and 450 points, through stints with the Blackhawks, Dallas Stars, Washington Capitals and Boston Bruins, after spending parts of nine seasons with the Nashville Predators.
Veleno, 25, brings a younger outlook to the rebuilding Blackhawks, having netted five goals and 10 points in 56 games this season. Since making his NHL debut with the Red Wings in 2021-22, the Montreal native has scored 35 goals and 74 points in 288 games.
Sitting fifth in the Atlantic Division on 66 points after 62 games, the Red Wings are just one point short of the final Wild Card Stanley Cup Playoff spot, currently held by the Ottawa Senators, heading into their Friday night clash with the Eastern Conference-leading Washington Capitals.
Chicago sits second last in the NHL on 46 points in 62 games and face the Utah Hockey Club on Friday night.