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Blackhawks player who could be traded before the start of the season

Chicago Blackhawks' Arvid Soderblom could be on the trade block before the start of the 2026-27 NHL season as the team continues to shape its roster.
Mar 27, 2026; New York, New York, USA; Chicago Blackhawks goaltender Arvid Soderblom (40) tends net against the New York Rangers during the second period at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images
Mar 27, 2026; New York, New York, USA; Chicago Blackhawks goaltender Arvid Soderblom (40) tends net against the New York Rangers during the second period at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

As Kyle Davidson gets closer to finalizing the Chicago Blackhawks' roster, Arvid Söderblom could be one of the more obvious players available for a trade. With Spencer Knight the number one in Chicago and the organization having several young goaltenders behind him, Söderblom is caught in a numbers game.

Drew Commesso will push for a job in camp

Drew Commesso is the biggest reason a trade could make sense. The 24-year-old has continued to develop and has shown enough in his time with the organization to make a legitimate push for the NHL backup job. Keeping Söderblom in that spot would leave Commesso fighting for starts, which isn't ideal at this point in his development.

If Davidson can find a team looking for goaltending help, Söderblom could be a useful trade chip. He has NHL experience and is still young enough that another organization could see more upside in him than Chicago currently has room to give him.

Gajan is the future for the Blackhawks

There is also Adam Gajan, the 22-year-old Slovak goaltender, who is another important part of Chicago's future in net and is getting closer to the professional ranks. At some point, the Blackhawks are going to have to figure out where everyone fits, especially with Gajan needing regular playing time as he continues his development.

If Chicago could get a draft pick or another depth piece in return while giving Commesso a clearer opportunity behind Knight. It would also prevent the organization from creating another logjam once Gajan is ready for the next step.

Söderblom will still have a future in the NHL, but it likely won't be with the Blackhawks. Whether he is traded before the start of the season or at the deadline. His time with the organization is closer to the end than the beginning. Especially with Knight established as the starter and Commesso and Gajan pushing for the backup job, Davidson should at least see what kind of market exists for the 25-year-old goaltender.

There are a handful of teams that could be looking to add a young, talented goalie like Söderblom. Including the Ottawa Senators, who did sign Samuel Ersson this summer, they could use another goalie in the mix alongside Leevi Merilainen. Together, that tandem could be the future between the pipes. It'll be interesting to see what Davidson does, especially if one of Gajan or Commesso pushes for the backup goalie job in camp. If he elects to trade Söderblom, expect it to be for a mid-tier draft pick.

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