The Chicago Blackhawks have signed goaltender Arvid Söderblom to a two-year deal worth $2.75 million per season, avoiding arbitration just ahead of his scheduled hearing. The contract runs through the 2026-27 season and gives the 24-year-old Swede some long-awaited stability after a season that had both challenges and glimpses of promise.
Söderblom finished the 2024–25 campaign with a 10-18-7 record, a .898 save percentage, and a 3.18 goals-against average over 36 games. While those surface stats don’t jump off the page, advanced analytics paint a more encouraging picture. According to MoneyPuck, Söderblom posted a +1.0 goals saved above expected (GSAx) — suggesting he slightly outperformed expectations based on shot quality. For a team in transition like the Blackhawks, that’s a welcome sign.
Signed as an undrafted free agent out of Sweden in 2021, Söderblom’s journey has been anything but straightforward. A year ago, he was slipping off the organizational depth chart. Now, he’s earned a two-year commitment and a chance to further establish himself as a reliable NHL goaltender.
Competition for Blackhawks goalie duties
He’ll enter the 2025–26 season expected to share the net with Spencer Knight, who arrived at last season’s trade deadline in the deal that sent Seth Jones to Florida. Knight, also 24, is hoping for a bounce-back year of his own as he looks to regain his form in a fresh environment.
That leaves veteran Laurent Brossoit as the odd man out — at least for now. With three NHL-caliber goalies under contract, the Blackhawks will likely need to make a move before opening night. But with Brossoit still working back from injury, the team may be forced to wait and assess its options later in camp.
Söderblom’s new contract represents 2.88% of the projected 2025–26 salary cap and ties him for the 38th-highest cap hit among NHL goaltenders. It’s a modest investment for a player who has shown flashes of NHL capability and could become a steady presence behind a young and evolving roster.
For Chicago, the move reflects a broader strategy: stay flexible, develop from within, and give emerging players a chance to grow. And for Söderblom, it’s proof that perseverance pays off — now comes the opportunity to deliver.
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Thanks for the blog Mr. Frenchy. I look forward to more of your Blackhawks content.
Regarding the Hawks goaltender situation, I expect Broissoit to begin the season on IR leaving Knight and Soderblom to share the net this season. Commesso would be the 1st call up in case of injury. If and when Broissoit gets healthy, ideally he is able to get a few games in before the TDL. The Hawks would then have to carry 3 goalies or perhaps Knight or Soderblom wind up on IR themselves. If Broissoit shows well he can be a trade candidate at the TDL.
It will get interesting in the 2026-27 season. Let’s assume Knight extends for 4-5 years sometime before next July 1. Let’s also assume Commesso signs for a couple of years too before next July after his ELC expires. With Soderblom on the 2nd year of his new deal and with Commesso, by that time, with 2 years in the AHL, there should be some competiton for the back up spot behind Knight.
Thanks for reading and for the kind words! I really appreciate your support and your breakdown of the Blackhawks’ goaltending situation.
You nailed it — Broissoit likely starting the season on IR opens the door for Knight and Soderblom to share the net early on, while Commesso stays ready in Rockford as the first call-up. If he performs well, he’ll make that decision even tougher for the front office.
Looking ahead, the 2026–27 season could bring some healthy competition. If Knight signs a multi-year extension and Commesso gets a bridge deal, there’s a real battle brewing for the backup job — and that’s a good sign for a rebuilding team.
I also agree with your final point: if Broissoit returns to form during the season, it could absolutely open the door to a trade deadline move. Something to watch closely.
Thanks again, and I’ll be back with more Blackhawks content soon!
The Hawks could roster 13F-7D-3G
if Brossoit is healthy and they would still make the cap floor with the Weber contract on LTIR.
Obviously, depends on any upcoming moves but that’s the gist on August 1st.
Absolutely agree about Brossoit. There hasn’t been much news on his status lately, but if he’s healthy, they could definitely carry all three goalies to start the season and look to make a trade down the line. As for the cap floor, no issues there — with Weber’s contract on LTIR, they’re sitting comfortably around $70.6M. Everything looks on track for now. Thanks for your comment my friend. Enjoy your weekend