Nashville Predators: Goalie Mazanec heads to KHL, voids Predators contract

In light of the stacked Nashville Predators goalie lineup, Marek Mazanec has decided to head to the KHL. What does that mean for depth?

Monday morning, the Nashville Predators announced that goalie Marek Mazanec had voided his contract, in order to sign with HC Slovan Bratislava of the KHL. Mazanec and the Predators agreed to void the one year, two-way $650,000 deal that he signed back on July 21. The deal was also worth $100,000 at the AHL level.

Mazanec was taken in the 6th round of the 2012 NHL Entry Draft. The Czech goaltender only appeared in 31 games in his three-year career with Nashville. His last win was back in 2014, his rookie year when he played in 25 of those 31 games. That action was mostly due to Pekka Rinne’s injury shortened season. Mazanec only appeared in six more games over the last two years.

Last year in his four games, Mazanec recorded a .839 save percentage, and a 4.72 GAA. Not too good.

What Pushed Mazanec Out

Many were unsure as to how much longer Rinne had with the Predators, but after a superstar playoff performances, it became clear that #35 had at two or three more years left.

22-year-old Juuse Saros is clearly Rinne’s backup for now, and most likely the starter in waiting. Saros posted 10 wins, a .923 save percentage, and a 2.35 GAA last season in 19 starts.

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Behind Saros, it’s 29-year-old Anders Lindback for now. Lindback signed with the Predators this offseason, after leaving the team for the last five seasons. From 2010-2012, Lindback tallied a .914 save percentage, and 2.53 GAA with the Predators.

Hot on Lindback’s trail is Tomas Vomacka, the Predators 5th round draft pick back a few months ago. The Czech goalie will play for the University of Connecticut next season, and hopefully in the minors with Milwaukee in the near future.

Stacked in Net

It’s really no surprise that Mazanec is headed to Russia. He seemed to be a great fit in net when drafted in 2012. He stands tall at 6 foot 4 inches, 190 pounds, and appears to have all the tools to succeed. However, Mazanec never really got his chance. He came to Nashville right when Rinne became a superstar in net. On top of that, Mazanec never capitalized when he did get those chances, therefore, never really made his case to be a legitimate NHL goalie. Too bad for Marek.

The Predators have addressed goalie depth this offseason with a draft pick, and free agent signings. Pekka seems to have a few more years left, and after he hangs up the skates, Saros should stroll right in and pick up the slack. If all else fails, ol’ Lindback should do just fine until Vomacka is ready to suit up in Predator gold.

Next: Nashville Predators: What to Expect from Frederick Gaudreau

Tough break for Mazanec, but all the best to him as he heads to the KHL.