The Chicago Blackhawks goaltending situation heading into the season
By Jim Lynch
The Chicago Blackhawks goaltending tandem is by no means going to be the best in the NHL this upcoming season, but there is hope in the organization this season of what their goalie tandem could look like in years to come.
The Chicago Blackhawks goaltending situation heading into the season
This upcoming season the Blackhawks will be using Arvid Söderblom and Petr Mrázek in the net for the most part. Söderblom played in 15 games this past season putting up a .894 save percentage and a goals against average of 3.45. Mrázek played in 39 games putting up a .894 save percentage as well and a goals against average of 3.66.
Neither goaltender was that great this past season, the team’s best goalie was Alex Stalock but he left in free agency choosing to sign with the Anaheim Ducks on a one-year contract.
This past year the Blackhawks used six goalies throughout the regular season, and the team could use that many goalies again this year, but there is one goalie to keep an eye on if he gets called up this season.
Mrázek and Söderblom will split the net this season, but if Drew Commesso gets called up for a game here or there that could be a must watch night for Blackhawks fans.
Drew Commesso was drafted in the second round of the 2020 NHL Draft and signed his first NHL contract near the end of the 2022-23 NHL Season. Commesso is one of the top goalie prospects in the NHL and is going to get a big opportunity in Rockford this upcoming season as a starting goaltender.
While Kyle Davidson did draft goaltender Adam Gajan in the second round this past season, Commesso is closer to being NHL ready than Gajan. Hawks fans might want to head out to Rockford for a game this season to watch the net minder play as he could be a difference maker on the team down the line.
The United Center also will have a young goaltender playing throughout the season in Söderblom. He is only 24 years old and signed a two year contract extension this past offseason for just under a million dollars through the 2024-25 season.
Söderblom has only played in 18 NHL games over the course of the past two seasons all with the Blackhawks. While his numbers were not great in the NHL last season, he is still young and could surprise some people this season.
For a Blackhawks team still in rebuild mode, Mrázek and Söderblom are a great goaltending duo. The two goalies should not steal many games this upcoming season and the team could be heading back to another draft lottery in a spot to land another top prospect.