The Chicago Blackhawks have reportedly activated goaltender Petr Mrazek off the injured reserve and re-assigned netminder Drew Commesso to the Rockford IceHogs of the American Hockey League (as per Charlie Roumeliotis of WGN Radio 720). Mrazek was considered close to a return on Tuesday but was not activated until this morning. The 32-year-old has been dealing with a left groin strain that has kept him out of action since December 7th.
Mrazek has dressed in 20 of Chicago’s 32 games to start the year and has put up a 7-11-1 record with a respectable .906 save percentage and 2.83 goals-against average. He dressed in 56 games for Chicago last season, posting a goals saved above expected of 1.6 (as per Money Puck), and a save percentage of .907, with an 18-31-4 record.
22-year-old Commesso started his first NHL game on December 14th for Chicago and played okay as he carried a shutout into the third period but ultimately lost the decision 4-1. He spent nearly two weeks in Chicago during Mrazek’s absence but saw just two appearances during that time. The former second-round pick now heads back to Rockford where he has put up pedestrian numbers in ten games this season with a 4-6 record and a 3.34 goals-against average as well as an .879 save percentage.
Chicago is at home tonight to face the Seattle Kraken, and we should know later today whether Mrazek will start or will be the backup.
Mrazek has been nothing short of spectacular. Keep in mind that the Hawks defense in front of him has more holes than a package of swiss cheese.