Maple Leafs and Blackhawks Complete Trade

The Toronto Maple Leafs have created some more salary cap space as the team has sent goaltender Petr Mrazek and their first-round pick, #25 overall, to the Chicago Blackhawks for their second-round pick,  #38 overall.

Bettman makes it official: Leafs trade Mrazek and pick 25 to Chicago for pick 38.

— Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) July 8, 2022

The move sees the Blackhawks take on the remainder of Mrazek's salary this season and next as the Maple Leafs free up $3.8 million immediately. Toronto has been trying to get rid of Mrazek since before last season's trade deadline as they team even sent him through waivers. Turns out they needed to package a first-rounder with him just to get some traction.

Ottawa Senators gave up a first round pick tonight in order to acquire Alex DeBrincat.

Toronto Maple Leafs gave up a first round pick tonight so someone would take Petr Mrazek.

— Sid Seixeiro (@Sid_Seixeiro) July 8, 2022

Chicago finds themselves a goaltender under an NHL contract, meanwhile Maple Leafs general manager Kyle Dubas now turns his focus to either getting Jack Campbell re-signed or perhaps the likes of Ville Husso or Darcy Kuemper become options. The 30-year-old Mrazek was open to being moved for more playing time and will get a look as the starter for the rebuilding Blackhawks.  

Photo credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports