Carter Mazur just can't catch a break.
Ever since the Detroit Red Wings selected him with the 70th pick in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft, it seems like he's done nothing but fight injuries.
On his first shift with the Red Wings in 2024-25, Mazur suffered a season-ending injury. The following season - 2025-26 - injuries again shortened his season, limiting him to just 16 AHL games and eight NHL games.
Mazur this season has played just three games, earning a single assist in that timeframe. He's been a healthy scratch in at least two contests in that timeframe -- and, when he does play, it's typically on the bottom line.
With his production and ice time continuing to drop, what's to become of Carter Mazur's NHL prospects?
Why Mazur is in trouble
To paint a clearer picture, this is what Mazur's ice and production looks like through three games:
Game | ATOI | Points | Shots | +/- |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Oct. 6 (vs. OTT) | 7:25 | 0G 1A | 1 | +1 |
Oct. 9 (vs. SEA) | 11:36 | 0G 0A | 2 | -1 |
Oct. 13 (vs. NJD) | 6:10 | 0G 0A | 0 | -2 |
After netting an assist in his season debut, Mazur earned a little extra ice time against the Kraken. The game - which ended in a 3-6 loss - cut Mazur's ice time down to just 6 minutes of ice time against the Devils.
The +/- statistic is hardly a reliable one in the modern NHL. After all, Moritz Seider, regarded as one of the best defensemen in the NHL, is a career -17. But, when you take deployment into account, it can be cause for concern. Take Mazur's game against the Devils. Despite playing just six minutes, Mazur was on the ice for two goals against while failing to register a single shot.
To make matters worse, if practice lineups are any indication, it doesn't look like he'll receive a lot of opportunity to improve. With J.T. Compher currently out with injury (but still practicing with the Red Wings) the team has opted to go an 11-7 scheme, playing 11 forwards and seven defensemen.
Mazur, it seems, is the odd man out.
How Mazur can redeem himself
With that said, this isn't the end of the line for Mazur. He's still got a chance to turn this around. If Todd McLellan's lineups are any indicator, he'll likely suit up during Saturday's bout against the San Jose Sharks. In order to remain on the lineup long term, though, he'll need to show he's capable of outplaying currently injured forward Mason Appleton and Grand Rapids call-up Sheldon Dries.
If he can't do that, he might be an unfortunate casualty of the waiver wire.
At 24 years of age, this is the most pivotal point of Mazur's NHL hopes. He needs to show that he can not only play at a high level, but continuously show up and deliver. It's clear that he has the skill to make it in the NHL, but a history of injuries, coupled with limited ice time, have thus far delayed his ability to make a serious impact.
We'll see when - and for how long - Mazur will play his next game. For now, the best he can do is prepare for his return to the ice.
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