Confirmed with Link: Petr Mrazek signed 1 year, 1.5M

[Unsustainable]

I didn’t want Cam or Darling this coming season.

I can’t see Darling staying if he flops again this season.

 

[go comets]

It may never happen. What then?

He played 50 games last year. Plus started every playoff game. Almost a .92 save percentage in the playoffs. If the others falter, he should see some time in net...

 

[Drivebytrucker]

It may never happen. What then?

The chances are pretty good that Nedeljkovic won't be an NHL goalie.

You could argue he wasn't even top 20 in the AHL last year.

Guys like Sparks, Hutchinson, Sateri, Demko and Berra are all much safer bets to have NHL careers.

His two seasons of .890 and .903 at the AHL Level are below average given quality of shooters at that level is much lower.

 

[geehaad]

This is the crux of the matter...all explanations for his poor performance are noise.

I disagree emphatically. Sliding from one post to the other and missing it completely doesn’t happen simply because he’s overweight. I’ve never seen a goalie flounder in the crease the way Darling did.

 

[Primetime8]

Mrazek of 2-4 years ago is a goalie that significantly upgrades this team. The red wings defense is wayyyy worse than the Canes and gave up more opportunities (I didnt watch much of mrazek with the flyers though). Petr is as competitive as they come as well. He is a small athletic goalie which is the opposite of Darling. I'm very optimistic about this signing.

 

[The Stranger]

I disagree emphatically. Sliding from one post to the other and missing it completely doesn’t happen simply because he’s overweight. I’ve never seen a goalie flounder in the crease the way Darling did.

Overweight, out of shape, unfocused, mentally fragile. [MOD]

So, yes, it wasn't just overweight...I probably didn't express myself well...but my point is that Darling was largely responsible for his poor performance...it wasn't due to something like Ward blocking his chance at having "command of the room".

 

[Anton Babchuk]

The chances are pretty good that Nedeljkovic won't be an NHL goalie.

You could argue he wasn't even top 20 in the AHL last year.

Guys like Sparks, Hutchinson, Sateri, Demko and Berra are all much safer bets to have NHL careers.

His two seasons of .890 and .903 at the AHL Level are below average given quality of shooters at that level is much lower.

I'm completely perplexed how Nedejlkovic worked his way back into elite prospect status by being barely mediocre in the second half of the season after being horrific for the first half. To focus on his win totals (which seem to be the main selling point) when he was getting unreal goal support is bizarre. This isn't someone who we should be planning anything around.

Mrazek sucks while having a .902sv% in the NHL last year but Nedeljkovic puts up a .903sv% in the AHL and is our goalie of the future lol? It's important to look at Ned's playoff sv% but his regular season should just be thrown out because why?

I'm not confident that a guy who hasn't managed to post even a .910sv% at the OHL, ECHL or AHL levels since 2014-2015 is going to suddenly turn into a quality NHL goalie.

 

[geehaad]

my point is that Darling was largely responsible for his poor performance...it wasn't due to something like Ward blocking his chance at having "command of the room".

Oh, totally. If anything, my money would be placed on the problem being too much comfort rather than not enough support.

 

[Mike1167]

One year, $1.5 million isn't bad for a good BACKUP goalie.

 

[Mike1167]

Unsustainable, you are awesome!!! Go Canes!!!

 

[Blueline Bomber]

It may never happen. What then?

Exactly. The answer's probably not going to come from within the organization. The odds that a good starting goaltender hits FA and we're one of their choice destinations? Likely slim.

That leaves trade as our best/only option. But to do that, we need expendable assets. I (like I assume many of you) thought we'd be dealing Faulk or Skinner for an answer in net.

However, from the comments today from Waddell, that seems unlikely.

 

[Vagrant]

mrazek has a history of above nhl average goaltending and took a huge step backwards last season. same situation as darling in some respects, except he's younger. both guys are being offered career cpr and it's up to them if either of them embrace this opportunity to put themselves back on the radar as legitimate potential starters. while it would have been nice to get an established option in goal, lehner and mrazek were the clear options as guys with the most upside to bounce back and recover their early career form as elite prospects. with how poorly darling has worked out for being oversized, probably a safer bet to go with the athletic mrazek to see if his play style meshes better with the composition of the defense. missing out on grubauer was a big blow to what was an otherwise pretty productive offseason. we just need some resolution on faulk and skinner.

the only good thing about our tandem is that both guys know this is last stop. if they can't muster the competitive spirit to fight for their careers and get their games back on track, it's a short trip to the bus station. while that may not help us identify our goalie of the future, it can eliminate some options. neither player will have an extreme amount of rope.

 

[AeroFishOne]

And you have to also have a willing trade partner that has a goalie waiting in the wings or else they are in the same position we are. Being as there were several teams needing goalie help and no significant trades (other then Grubauer who’s not a proven starter) were made before many of the FAs were signed makes me think there were none willing to part with one.

We can also thank previous management for the lack of goaltending depth for years and years.

 

[Big Daddy Cane]

To make a trade, you also need a trade partner. What team is that? What team actually has depth in net and would be willing to give it up?

Colorado let Bernier go; Varlamov isn't an option. Nashville isn't going to hand over the reigns to Saros just yet. Dell in San Jose isn't a proven solution. Kinkaid is too unproven to make Schneider available and he wasn't good last season in New Jersey anyway.

Waddell and the Canes were dealt a bad hand. I'm not trying to be an apologist here, but the griping simply ignores the reality of the marketplace

 

[Blueline Bomber]

To make a trade, you also need a trade partner. What team is that? What team actually has depth in net and would be willing to give it up?

It could be years before another team gets enough depth to be able to trade a starter-level goaltender.

We're stuck in the same situation Edmonton and Toronto were a couple years ago. Talent wasting on the roster, waiting for a starter-level goaltender to become available for trade.

They could afford to wait (because Canada). Can we honestly say the same thing here? We basically wasted Skinner's time here. How many more players on this roster are we willing to sacrifice for that wait?

 

[Big Daddy Cane]

I get it. It sucks.

There just isn't an alternative. The only option is patience. Either someone becomes available via trade or free agency from outside the division or something unexpected happens and a prospect goalie takes a step forward in their development. There's no trade to overpay in right now, even if they wanted to.

 

[pylon17]

Final Thoughts on Petr Mrazek

An interesting piece on Mrazek. Maybe a reset for him might be a good thing. Especially if he's been sold that it's a fair competition, instead of what he had to deal with with Howard in Detroit.

Excellent read!

I’m a fan of Mrazek and believe he will have a nice bounce back season for you guys.

 

[KJoe88]

Wings fan here. I admit, I was NEVER a fan of Mrazek. Always preferred Howard over him and still do due to his erratic style. Tried to be like Hasek...

That said, he was a massive reason for Detroit even winning a few against TB in those playoff series:

It’s pretty well known he has tremendous skill. He just doesn’t know what to do half of the time. He has tons of tools, no tool box. Tons of swag, but is over aggressive.

I genuinely hope he tears it up for you guys down there and redeems his career. He had great moments here in Detroit. Hoping he can revitalize his career with you boys and girls down in Carolina.

 

[pylon17]

 

[go comets]

The chances are pretty good that Nedeljkovic won't be an NHL goalie.

You could argue he wasn't even top 20 in the AHL last year.


Guys like Sparks, Hutchinson, Sateri, Demko and Berra are all much safer bets to have NHL careers.

His two seasons of .890 and .903 at the AHL Level are below average given quality of shooters at that level is much lower.

Every goalie is different. He is still only 22. Sparks is 2 years older and had a very uninspired career until 2 seasons ago.

Also take into account that Charlotte was in a tough division with 3 stacked veteran teams primed for a Calder cup run. Providence, Wilkes Barrie and Allentown were all loaded.
This up coming season should be the difference maker in his career.

 

[BB88]

This really bothers me, I was hoping playoffs for Carolina. Why build an elite defense if you're not going to surround them with talent?

I hope they don't see Darling as the starter and plan to run with him with Mrazek challenging him. We saw the Darling experience last year.
I hope Mrazek gets the 1st chance and they go from there, atleast he's younger and shown starter potential at some point in his career.

It's still betting on a low chance, but hey there's a chance.
Confidence is everything.

 

[SanBlom]

Mrazek is going to be great for you. This is his chance to show what he has and he is going to relish. I wish it worked out better in Philly but it didnt so now I will be pulling for you guys and Mr. Mrazek. Dude has all the skills to be a top 5 Goalie in this league. His major flaw is overplaying the first shot and depending on his athleticism. Once he squares that away, WATCH OUT! Who is your Goalie Coach down there? If they can develop a bond (he seems like a strong personality) it will help a lot.

 

[garnetpalmetto]

Mrazek is going to be great for you. This is his chance to show what he has and he is going to relish. I wish it worked out better in Philly but it didnt so now I will be pulling for you guys and Mr. Mrazek. Dude has all the skills to be a top 5 Goalie in this league. His major flaw is overplaying the first shot and depending on his athleticism. Once he squares that away, WATCH OUT! Who is your Goalie Coach down there? If they can develop a bond (he seems like a strong personality) it will help a lot.

Mike Bales, who worked with MAF in Pittsburgh.

 

[StiffSquid]

This is great and all will be well. Woo darling woo mrazek winning many hockey games.

Because of this signing I feel comfortable in spending $200 in lower level tickets , $50 in food and $20 in parking.

I'm sure Carolina Hurricanes ice hockey club will give their all , blood sweat tears , and win games.

 

[SanBlom]

Mike Bales, who worked with MAF in Pittsburgh.

Tough to read how he is from searching the internet. His Goalies won two cup in a row (good) but then he was fired (bad). Seems like he was really tight with Fleury, but why did Fleury excel after leaving him? I really have no clue? Hopefully he and Mrazek for a solid relationship and he shows confidence in Mrazeks abilities. I think that will go a long way......or bring in the Dominator to coach him.