On July 1st 2018 the Carolina Hurricanes signed goaltender Petr Mrazek to a one-year deal. Although he was not the “Darling” goalie the fans desired, his recent play has served to “Ward” off critics and naysayers.

Last summer could be seen as the end of an era in Carolina Hurricanes history, as the team finally decided to part ways with long time net-minder Cam Ward. Choosing to mortgage their future on a supposedly-rejuvenated Scott Darling, goaltender Petr Mrazek was signed solely to be the team’s backup to Darling. However, Darling’s injuries and poor play left the net open for the taking and Mrazek has seized the opportunity.

Mrazek’s growing importance to the Carolina Hurricanes hasn’t been plain sailing. He suffered some early season growing pains, in which he struggled to find a groove and dealt with a groin injury. Despite carrying an 11-11-3 record and an .894 save percentage, Mrazek has often stood on his head in efforts to keep games close, possessing a 2.84 Goals Against Average. This is good enough for 21st in the league, often behind a team that has often failed to find the back of the net. while he is left to face odd-man rushes and quality opportunities by the opposition. The numbers don’t show just how much of an improvement Mrazek has been over recent years’ goaltending.

Mrazek has also impressed fans and analysts alike with his calm methodical demeanor in net. Rarely out of position, Mrazek possesses the fundamentals needed to backstop a high-risk team. The Carolina Hurricanes have developed a reputation for a high shot volume, which in turn can often leave their goalie in a pinch after a break down while in transition. Mrazek’s stellar play has given the team the confidence to take the risks that Coach Rod Brindamour’s offensive style provides them.

About to turn 27 years of age, Mrazek’s performances this season have earned him the title of number 1 goalie for the team’s playoff push, and an opportunity for a big payday with the team this off-season. While many fans simply see the team’s current goalie tandems as warm bodies to mind the net until Charlotte Checkers goalie Alex Nedeljkovic is ready for the big time, Mrazek has a golden opportunity to make the Carolina Hurricanes net his for years to come. In our mid-season report card we gave Mrazek a B-, but he has been even more impressive since then.

Carolina Hurricanes fans have been blessed for the first time in a long time with a legitimate 1-2 goalie tandem in Petr Mrazek and waiver wire steal Curtis McElhinney. One would be hard pressed to NOT give the number one goalie job to Petr Mrazek down the stretch, despite McElhinney’s excellent shutout of the Penguins on Wednesday night. What should not be hard is for general manager Don Waddell to reach an agreement this off-season with Mrazek, and lock him in as the long term starting netminder of the Carolina Hurricanes.