Commesso Replaces Söderblom
The Chicago Blackhawks made their first roster change of the week on Sunday, replacing backup goaltender Arvid Söderblom with Drew Commesso.
The move ends Söderblom’s run of more than three seasons as the team’s backup, placing the 27-year-old on waivers.
Söderblom is in the second year of a two-year contract and is set to become an unrestricted free agent next summer. He has struggled early this season, posting a 4.67 goals-against average, an .847 save percentage, and a 0-3-1 record across five games and four starts.
Based on the volume and caliber of shots he has faced, Söderblom has surrendered 18.2 more goals than anticipated, giving him a minus-18.2 GSAA that stands as the sixth-worst mark across the NHL since the beginning of last season. Most recently, he allowed several soft goals in a 4-1 loss Thursday against the Lightning, followed by three more goals in relief Saturday.
If Söderblom goes unclaimed on waivers, the Blackhawks could buy out or terminate his contract or assign him to the Rockford IceHogs of the AHL. Meanwhile, the team recalled Commesso from Rockford to back up Spencer Knight, whose heavy workload—14 starts in the team’s 18 games, on pace for 65—probably isn’t sustainable.
Commesso, 24, signed a two-year, $1.75 million contract in the offseason that converts to a one-way deal next season. In 121 career appearances in Rockford, he holds a 2.75 GAA, a .905 save percentage, and a 51-55-11 record with eight shutouts. He has played in five NHL games, including his first career win and shutout Jan. 10 against the Nashville Predators.
To clear the roster spot, the Blackhawks placed Patrick Kane on injured reserve retroactive to Monday. Pending medical clearance, Kane is an option to return to the lineup as early as Thursday when the Hawks face the Buffalo Sabres.
