Another day, another recall for Jaxson Stauber of the Chicago Blackhawks. The minor league goaltender is back up after Petr Mrazek was run out of the building on Saturday. Mrazek allowed four goals on five shots before being pulled against the Seattle Kraken.
If you want a strong signal that the Blackhawks management is focused on the first overall pick, Mrazek’s continued presence is it. The veteran goaltender has an .875 save percentage on the year, a 4.26 goals-against average, and has won just three of his 16 appearances.
Stauber’s recall could suggest that there is an injury, or perhaps that Alex Stalock isn’t ready yet. Yesterday, the coaching staff told reporters including Mark Lazerus of The Athletic that Stalock would likely start against the Buffalo Sabres. Lazerus adds that Stalock is not on the ice for morning skate. (Update: Stalock is in concussion protocol and will not play)
The 23-year-old Stauber has played 12 professional games, all of them with the Rockford IceHogs. He has an .896 save percentage in those appearances. Undrafted, he was signed out of Providence College last year.
Mrazek is through. They will keep him through this season no matter how bad he is. Nobody would want him in a trade and he is sure to be bought out with only next year left on the deal. If Commesso really turns pro and a couple of mock drafts have the Hawks taking the best G in this years class( Hrabal) with one of the few 1st round picks they’ll probably end up with the future G situation doesn’t look so terrible. I would think that the Hawks will try another shot at a 4-5 million dollar G for next year or a couple of years with Soderbloom as the backup and Stauber and Commesso in the wings. Stauber has been less than impressive so far while playing for a good Rockford team so not sure he’s any kind of answer. Nothing to see here until the deadline when some young guys replace the guys who leave. Next year they should be able to trade Tyler Johnson finally in the last year of his deal, So some more assets to be had. I’ve been watching more Rockford games whenever I can than Hawks games.
Mrazek has served his purpose. I’m not sure they need to commit to a $4 million goalie though. There will be serviceable goalie options available on short contracts in the $2 – $3 million range. Pick up one of those. Even if it doesn’t work, you know you will have pretty much first pick of any goalie that gets waived. Just keep grabbing those until you find one that works. That strategy should get you through a year or two until the Hawks become competitive again.