BREAKING: Blackhawks send Petr Mrázek, Craig Smith to Heated Rival In Exchange for Another Top Forward
The Chicago Blackhawks have traded forward Craig Smith and goaltender Petr Mrázek to the Detroit Red Wings in exchange for forward Joe Veleno. The trade has been finalized and officially announced.
Smith, 35, joined the Blackhawks on a one-year, $1 million contract during the offseason and played on their fourth line. Despite being part of one of the league’s weakest teams, he contributed solid production with nine goals in 40 games. The veteran forward, previously with the Nashville Predators, also dealt with a back injury earlier in the season, which led to a stint on injured reserve.
Mrázek, 33, became the odd man out after Chicago acquired goalie Spencer Knight and a conditional 2026 first-round pick by trading Seth Jones last weekend. Since then, Arvid Soderbloom and Knight have alternated as the backup goalies, leaving Mrázek as a healthy scratch.
Finding a trade partner for Mrázek was challenging, given both his contract and recent performance. He signed a two-year, $8.5 million deal ($4.25 million annually) last offseason after a strong 2023-24 season, but this year, his numbers dipped with a .890 save percentage and a 3.46 goals-against average in 33 games.
When asked about a potential move before the trade deadline, Mrázek expressed caution, stating he didn’t want to rush into a decision that might not make sense.
Mrázek returns to Detroit, where he spent the first five seasons of his career before being traded to Philadelphia. Though the Red Wings are a different team now, they remain competitive, sitting just one point behind the Ottawa Senators and New York Rangers for the East’s No. 8 playoff spot.
Veleno, 25, has played 288 NHL games since debuting four years ago and is expected to take Smith’s spot on the fourth line. Drafted by Detroit in the first round of 2018, Veleno had a career-best season last year, with 12 goals and 28 points.
This trade also helps Chicago clear cap space, removing Mrázek’s $4.25 million for the 2025-26 season and adding Veleno’s $2.275 million. Chicago is expected to have over $40 million in cap space next offseason.
Additionally, the Blackhawks will acquire 24-year-old defenseman Victor Söderström, 23-year-old forward Aku Räty, and retired defenseman Shea Weber from the Utah Hockey Club in exchange for a 2026 sixth-round pick. Weber, who hasn’t played since 2021 and was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame last year, has a $7.86 million cap hit through next season, providing the Blackhawks with added cap floor security.