Petr-Mrazek

Detroit Red Wings‘ 4th year goalie Petr Mrazek(34) has basically taken over the starting duties with a career high 54 NHL games last season.

His 27 wins and 16 losses with a 2.33 GAA and .921 SV% was good enough to help his club continue their record of consecutive playoff berths.

Although he fell to 1-2 in 3 postseason contests, his 1.36 GAA and .945 SV% basically said scoring was the factor in their first round exit.

He was a restricted free agent as of July 1 and may have been headed for arbitration until almost a month later the big club steps up with a hefty raise on a 2-year deal.

The 24-year old is definitely ready to shoulder the net minder role going forward but it’s a bit of a matter what kind of team is on the ice in front of him.

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Petr Mzarek(34) Detroit Red Wings

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Detroit Red Wings‘ 5th round pick in the 2010 draft (#141 overall) rookie Czech net minder Petr Mzarek(34) got the nod for his 1st NHL start and absolutely commanded a 5-1 win over Division rivals St. Louis Blues.

Not bad for a goalie that started his still shiny new pro career in the ECHL with Toledo Walleye for a few games before being recalled to Grand Rapid Griffins.

He posted a 2-1 record with a 2.02 GAA and .944 SV% on a team that looks to be a Kelly Cup contender before receiving the start in his 2nd game back in the AHL and began winning, a lot, all the time.

His 16-7 in 25 games with a 2.26 GAA and .916 SV for the division leading squad is pretty dazzling.

These efforts earned him an invite to the 2013 AHL All-Star Game and was in net for the Western Conference late 3rd period victory.

It would almost be no surprise to see the 6’1″ 187 lbs. goaltender work his way into the mix of starters for the Wings going forward. He’s signed through 2015 on a three-year entry level contract.

The win was a nice early birthday present for the soon-to-be 21-year old Valentine’s Day baby backstop.