Blackhawks Practice: Mrazek Reacts, Donato’s Impact Ahead of Trade Deadline

The Chicago Blackhawks took to the practice ice at the Fifth Third Arena for the first time in what felt like weeks. As they prepared for tomorrow night’s game against the Utah Hockey Club, it was hard to wonder who would still be here when the puck is dropped. The only player not accounted for on Trade Deadline Eve was defenseman Alec Martinez, who was taking a maintenance day.

Captain Nick Foligno will return to the lineup tomorrow night. He was centering a line with Landon Slaggert and Tyler Bertuzzi today. Jason Dickinson is getting close to game action, too. Interim head coach Anders Sorensen is hopeful he can play at some point on the upcoming road trip.

Nothing Changes for Petr Mrazek

A little over a year ago, Petr Mrazek signed a two-year contract extension with the Blackhawks. He and Laurent Brossoit would be the veteran tandem for the next two seasons while prospect Drew Commesso developed in the American Hockey League. And now, he is the odd man out while Spencer Knight and Arvid Soderblom play out the final games of the schedule.

To Mrazek’s credit, he’s still showing up for work and bringing a great attitude with him. He was his usual self after practice, joking with Knight while removing his equipment. He’s been in the league long enough and has been traded before, so he knows how quickly plans can change.

“I talked to Kyle (Davidson) the other day and understand the decision,” Mrazek said. “It’s a business. This is what it is; that’s what happens in hockey. I’m still going to be here, coming in with a great attitude. What happens in the summer, we’ll see, or what happens in the next two days.”

If Mrazek is disappointed with how this played out, he sure hasn’t been showing it. He mentioned that if he is feeling low, it’s because the season hasn’t gone as the team hoped. Sorensen was quick to notice how well he’s handled this awkward situation.

“He’s a pro,” he said. “He’s a good person. He’s where his two feet are and what he can control. It’s huge for the younger guys.”

All the young guys, not just Knight and Soderblom, can learn from seeing how Mrazek handles this. He’s giving a valuable lesson on being a professional when things don’t turn out how you envision them. As we’ve seen in the last few days, it’s easy to be bitter and trash the organization on your way out. Instead, Mrazek is giving a positive example of how to work through down times.

“Sody and Spence are young guys,” Mrazek said. “They have their whole career in front of them. I’m going to be here to support them, I’m going to be happy around them, and make sure they feel comfortable.”

Mrazek has been nothing but a good soldier since arriving, and hopefully, he lands in a spot where he can flourish.

The Room Wants Ryan Donato to Stay Put

The last few days leading up to the NHL’s trade deadline are always strange inside an NHL locker room. It’s weird for reporters to ask players about their futures, and we always wonder if it’s the last time we’ll talk to someone before they move on. I can only imagine how weird and uncomfortable it is for the players at times. They will always tell you they don’t focus on the “outside noise,” but that feels like an impossible task.

“You don’t think about it too much,” Connor Bedard said. “Everyone who is here is here mentally. It’s weird and it sucks, but it’s part of the business. We’re focused on being here and taking things day by day.”

Bedard has nothing to worry about, as he’s not going anywhere for a long time, despite what the engagement farmers on social media scream into the ether. Other players in the room don’t have that luxury. Some veterans might look forward to getting traded to a team ready to make a playoff run. At the same time, other players might get blindsided and have to uproot their personal lives in the blink of an eye. The human element of the trade deadline is often overlooked.

Sorensen wasn’t feeling any deadline jitters as he joked about how coaches can’t get traded. He is focused on what he has control over, and making trades does fall into that category.

“We have the guys in front of us that are here today, that will be here tomorrow, and the next day, and those are the guys we work with, and then do the best job we can.”

Ryan Donato is the most valuable trade piece Davidson has, but many people want him to stay in Chicago beyond this season, including those in the Blackhawks locker room. Last night, Pat Maroon went out of his way to say that Donato should be re-signed. Today, it was Bedard who made the case.

“He’s been a stud this year,” he said. “Every game, he goes and is giving 110% and making a difference. He’s been great. Me and him are pretty close, and just his approach to the game and his professionalism, it’s great and that means a lot to leadership in our room and everything. Obviously, you want him to stay, but everything is a business. We’ll see what happens tomorrow.”

Donato didn’t seem affected by the looming deadline. Sorensen said he was upbeat and ready to go when he got on the ice. The veteran forward was loose in the locker room after practice, having fun with a segment the social media team was putting together.

There is no doubt how much Donato means to this team, both on and off the ice. Davidson is in a tough situation. Rewarding a player who has put in the work and plays the right way every night is a good sign to the rest of the organization. However, passing up on a big haul that can help the team improve down the road is tough for a general manager to do. The reported asking price right now is a first-round pick. Davidson is comfortable not trading Donato if that price isn’t met. Let’s see how this all plays out over the next 24 hours.