The Detroit Red Wings traded for goaltender Petr Mrazek and center Craig Smith from the Chicago Blackhawks in exchange for center Joe Veleno on Friday, just before the NHL trade deadline.
This was the only move made by general manager Steve Yzerman, even though he began the day with about $13 million in cap space and had gaps to fill on the second forward line (due to Andrew Copp’s injury) and on defense (due to Jeff Petry’s injury).
The move is also puzzling because Mrazek, 33, has one year left on his contract at $4.25 million and doesn’t seem to be an improvement over Cam Talbot or Alex Lyon.
In his third season with the Blackhawks, Mrazek has a record of 10-19-2, with a 3.46 goals-against average and a .890 save percentage. A fifth-round draft pick by the Red Wings in 2010 (141st overall), he played parts of six seasons in Detroit from 2012 to 2018 before being traded to Philadelphia for a third-round pick.
Talbot is signed for another season at $2.5 million, while Lyon will become an unrestricted free agent after this season. Top goalie prospect Sebastian Cossa remains waiver-exempt for one more year, meaning he could spend another season with the Grand Rapids Griffins.
Smith, 35, is a bottom-six forward who will strengthen the fourth-line center position with his size (6-1, 203) and forechecking skills. The 14-year veteran and former Nashville Predator has nine goals and seven assists in 40 games. He is in the final year of his contract, earning $1 million, and will be an unrestricted free agent after the season.
Veleno, 25, struggled to make a consistent impact in his five seasons with the Red Wings after they selected him in the first round of the 2018 draft (30th overall).
He has five goals and five assists in 56 games this season and was a healthy scratch in Thursday’s 4-2 loss to Utah. He appeared in 288 games, picking up 35 goals and 39 assists, with Detroit.
Veleno has one year remaining on his contract at $2.275 million.
