Carolina Hurricanes: Top three netminders in Canes history

Petr Mrazek

I’m surprising myself by actively putting Petr Mrazek on this list for the best Carolina Hurricanes netminder ever. Yet, here I am. While you can certainly argue that this might be the benefit of playing behind a far better Canes team than some of the other goaltenders that have taken to the ice for Carolina have done, but that doesn’t take away from Mrazek’s achievements.

Carolina’s recently departed netminder recorded a .911 save percentage and a 2.48 goals-against average. With 10 shutouts in 92 games, the stats Mrazek put up in Raleigh will not go and capture headlines, but they are better than people will admit for the Czech netminder. Not earth-shattering, but good enough numbers to make the list.

His 50-32-10 record is where he makes his mark on this list. This record has overseen the first time in the history of the team that they have made back-to-back-to-back playoff appearances. Mrazek backstopped the team to the Eastern Conference Finals in 2018-19, despite dealing with an injury he sustained in the 2nd round against the New York Islanders.

Mrazek was also the wall behind the broken and battered Hurricanes defense that beat the New York Rangers team in the 2020 NHL qualifying round during the bubble playoffs in Toronto. While this in itself is not an outstanding accomplishment as the Canes brought two new defensemen in at the trade deadline, but it still needed to be done.

Petr was also beloved by everyone. He gave an interview after the Carolina Hurricanes beat the New Jersey Devils, and the Washington Capitals beat the Montreal Canadiens. It’s so well known across the Hurricanes fanbase. Every one can imagine Mrazek sitting on the bench and screaming “We’re in, we’re in!” In case you can’t, don’t worry, I’ve got a video for you.

If you just search Mrazek’s highlight reel, it’s an incredible success. He’s made some special saves. He didn’t let in too many shots that he should have saved either. There’s some you’re thinking “maybe he could have had it”, that’s fair. However, you’re never looking at a shot from the other side of the read line going through his glove and into the net like with goalies before him.

From diving stick saves in Colorado, to the diving poke check against the Florida Panthers in overtime to send the Canes the other way in collecting two points from south Florida, Mrazek played his part. He was good on the puck, good in the paint, and surprisingly good on his stomach, sprawled out across the ice, usually attacking the shooter with his stick in some shape or form.

Mrazek was calming in his personality, but he is not a traditional goaltender. He can make a simple glove save so much more complex than it needs to be. He is a great person, and he’s going to be loved in Toronto. I didn’t mean to start this with a review of a player who’s just departed but that’s how it’s worked out. Let’s move on to goalie number two.