4 Blackhawks on Chopping Block After Luke Richardson Firing

4. Petr Mrazek, G

While the Blackhawks haven't been that good in recent years, Petr Mrazek has been one of the few bright spots. The veteran netminder has done a good job at keeping his teammates in games where they should've been blown out, earning a spot in Chicago fans' hearts along the way.

Having said that, Mrazek's time with in town might be over soon.

It isn't a secret that the Blackhawks will eventually have to trade a goalie. Injured backup goaltender Lauren Brossoit should be returning to the lineup in January from a knee injury while Arvid Soderblom has played well in his absence, backstopping his way to a .919 SV% and 2.46 GAA in seven starts.

That's without bringing up how the 22-year-old Drew Commesso has shown promise in the American Hockey League. Or how 2023 second-round pick Adam Gajan — who The Athletic's Scott Wheeler ranked as the No. 14 goaltending prospect in July — could be the future of Chicago's crease depending on how he develops.

Taking the above into account, it's easy to see why Mrazek might be playing with the Blackhawks on borrowed time.

As solid as he's been, he isn't getting any younger (32) and he's yet to prove that he's good enough to lead a team to a Stanley Cup. Throw in the fact that he's still signed through 2025-26 with an average cap hit of $4.25 million and it's evident why the Blackhawks might try to get something for him now if they don't view him as a part of their future.

With teams around the NHL always looking to add a goaltender, it might not be long before a goalie-hungry club calls the Blackhawks.

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