The Chicago Blackhawks locker room has been through the wringer during the 2024-25 NHL season. Amid a turbulent campaign, Connor Bedard and his teammates have endured highs and lows—mostly the latter—all year. Change continues to unfold in the Windy City, as interim head coach Anders Sorensen made a crucial announcement regarding the team’s goalie rotation moving forward.
The Blackhawks recently welcomed goaltender Spencer Knight to the organization, as the 23-year-old goaltender arrived in exchange for defenseman Seth Jones. The hope in Chicago is Knight can become the franchise’s starting netminder for the future, helping Bedard and the young core become a contender in the NHL.
Knight had a stellar performance during his debut at United Center, stopping 41 of 42 shots as the Blackhawks defeated the L.A. Kings by a score of 5-1. Sorensen gave Knight a rest during Chicago’s home game versus Ottawa, with Arvid Söderblom manning the crease.
Although Bedard and Chicago ultimately lost 4-3 in overtime, due to a controversial goal by Tim Stutzle, Sorensen was pleased with the goaltender’s performance, announcing a pivotal decision about the goaltending rotation.
“The Blackhawks are going to use a two-man goalie rotation of Knight and Söderblom moving forward, Sorensen said. [Petr] Mrazek is not going to be part of it,” Chicago Sun-Times reporter Ben Pope stated on his X account.
“It’s tough when you have three, [so] you have to find some type of rotation,” Sorensen said. “You can’t play three goalies. We’re going to go with [Knight and Söderblom] right now. Things can change, but those are the two guys.”
Tough business
33-year-old Mrazek has been in Chicago since the 2022-23 season, after being traded by the Toronto Maple Leafs. Expected to be the team’s starter, Mrazek didn’t post great numbers during his time in Chi-Town, though the team around him shares the blame for his subpar stats.
After Knight’s arrival, Sorensen and the Hawks faced a strange situation, having three goalies on the roster. Now, the interim head coach has confirmed Mrazek won’t be taken into account, at least at the moment, and the goaltender may leave the organization as the NHL trade deadline approaches.
With an uncertain future ahead, Mrazek had little to say, stating only, “We’ll see,” about the direction of his career. However, the goaltender spoke with GM Kyle Davidson and made it clear there is no bad blood between him and the organization.