The Blackhawks have ridden goalie Petr Mrazek extremely hard this season, banking on his much-improved durability in recent years continuing to hold up.
On Saturday, it did not. Mrazek pulled himself 11 minutes into the first period against the Jets after making an awkward save sliding left to right out of his crease. Interim coach Anders Sorensen later said Mrazek will “be out for a little bit.”
Backup goalie Arvid Soderblom replaced him and finished with 21 saves on 24 shots in the Hawks’ eventual 4-2 loss.
It’s concerning news, considering how many injuries — and groin injuries in particular — Mrazek endured earlier in his career and how much his recent success has been predicated on his improved health. He had started 20 of the Hawks’ first 27 games, including five in the last 10 days alone, and posted a .906 save percentage.
In his absence, the Hawks have no choice but to turn to Soderblom, who will get an even bigger-than-expected opportunity to reestablish his place in the franchise’s future plans. Both of the veteran goalies the Hawks planned to use this season — Mrazek and Laurent Brossoit — are now sidelined.
It’s unclear who will join Soderblom to comprise the Hawks’ goalie tandem next week in New York. Prospect Drew Commesso is talented, but he’s a 22-year-old with zero career NHL appearances. He has also struggled in the AHL early this season, posting an .879 save percentage.
The Hawks could poke around for a veteran journeyman available to sign or acquire for cheap, but those are difficult to find this time of year.
Another injury
Mrazek wasn’t the only Hawk injured Saturday. Defenseman Alec Martinez blocked a shot into his neck or face in the third period and will also miss some time, Sorensen said.
Without Martinez and Seth Jones, who remains likely a couple weeks away from returning from his foot injury, the Hawks are running low on defensive depth, too.
Donato, the exception
Sorensen’s message after practice Friday echoed through Fifth Third Arena: “Effort is going to fix a lot of things.”
One Hawk who has followed that mantra already this season is Ryan Donato. Even on the many nights when the rest of the team has looked sluggish and lost, Donato’s work ethic and determination to try to make things happen hasn’t wavered.
“I’ve always said that my game, no matter who I play with, really doesn’t change that much,” Donato said recently. “I always come with the same mentality of trying to grind down the other team’s defensemen, holding onto pucks, battling in the ‘O’-zone and ‘D’-zone and getting myself to the net and getting chances to the net.”
That consistent effort has translated onto box scores: He has a team-high 10 goals (plus five assists) in 25 games. He’s on pace for 48 points this season, which would shatter his previous career best of 31. Just as impressively, his 1.53 goals-per-60-minutes rate ranks 15th among 382 NHL forwards.
Donato isn’t one of the most vocal leaders on the roster, but he does seem more involved and confident in that aspect this season compared to last. If his industriousness became contagious, it would help the Hawks.
“Whenever I play with guys…I’m just saying, ‘Hey, let’s play simple. Make sure you shoot the puck when you have a chance. I don’t want you turning any shots into trying to make a play [and being] too cute,’” he said.