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Carolina Hurricanes: The Rise, Fall, & Redemption of Petr Mrazek

By Christopher Highe

RALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA - APRIL 15: Petr Mrazek #34 of the Carolina Hurricanes watches the action against the Washington Capitals during the third period in Game Three of the Eastern Conference First Round during the 2019 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at PNC Arena on April 15, 2019 in Raleigh, North Carolina. The Hurricanes won 5-0. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)
RALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA - APRIL 15: Petr Mrazek #34 of the Carolina Hurricanes watches the action against the Washington Capitals during the third period in Game Three of the Eastern Conference First Round during the 2019 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at PNC Arena on April 15, 2019 in Raleigh, North Carolina. The Hurricanes won 5-0. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images) /
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PHILADELPHIA, PA – MARCH 15: Petr Mrazek #34 of the Philadelphia Flyers looks on during warm-ups against the Columbus Blue Jackets on March 15, 2018 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Len Redkoles/NHLI via Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA – MARCH 15: Petr Mrazek #34 of the Philadelphia Flyers looks on during warm-ups against the Columbus Blue Jackets on March 15, 2018 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Len Redkoles/NHLI via Getty Images) /

Petr Mrazek’s Stint in Philly highlights fall

In the latter months of the 2018 season, Petr Mrazek was traded over to the Philadelphia Flyers. A team who was in playoff contention, unlike the Detroit Red Wings. It was a good move for Petr’s career, as he had begun to bounce back from a career low year in 2016-17. With Flyers starter Brian Elliott and backup Michal Neuvirth both out for much of the season’s remainder, he pulled starting role.

In his first start as a Flyer against Columbus on February 22nd, Petr registered his first win. He allowed only one goal in 20 shots for a .950 SV%. He would follow up with a win against Ottawa, allowing 3 goals on 28 shots. Not the best performance for a newly minted team starter, but still a win. Then proceeded to shutout the Canadiens on the 26th. 3 wins in 3 straight starts.

His first loss as a Flyer would come on the 1st of March, and hard. Against his future club no less. 4 goals against on 35 shots, a .886 SV%. He would only break above a .900 SV% two more times in the remainder of the regular season when starting. In 17 games played, he was 6-6-3 with a 3.22 goals-against average and a .891 SV%.

With only 4 quality starts, Petr’s time with Philadelphia was already over. The consistency he had as a netminder for Detroit only two years prior had seemed to evaporate. With his contract set to expire at the end of the season, it was clear that a qualifying offer wouldn’t be tendered. His tempter may have had a little to do with it as well.

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