The future of the Blackhawks backup goalie position will be one to watch

The emergence of Spencer Knight for the Chicago Blackhawks this season has been one of the high points of the year for this team. Fresh off a three-year $5.8 million contract extension over the offseason, Knight has taken the reins of the starting netminder position with authority. If there was any doubt regarding the future of the Blackhawks in net, Knight's breakout campaign has shown that Chicago's crease is in good hands.

But what about beyond Knight? It is here that there are some question marks regarding who the Blackhawks' backup goalie of the future is. Current backup Arvid Soderblom currently has the nod, but he has company hot on his heels in the form of Drew Commesso

Commesso is challenging Soderblom in goal

Commesso impressed once again in his latest short stint on the big club, helping his team bring home a much-needed 3-2 win vs the Utah Mammoth this past Monday. This was his second victory with the Blackhawks of the 25-26 season in just three starts. His other win was even more impressive as the young 23-year-old Boston native recorded his first career shutout in the process on Jan. 10 versus the Nashville Predators.

With Knight recovering from illness, Commesso was sent back down to the Rockford IceHogs yesterday, where he will likely complete the season. This will give Soderblom the keys to the backup slot for the remainder of the year. But how much longer does he hang onto this role?

Soderblom has undergone a turbulent time during his Blackhawks tenure, to put it lightly. While he has suited up behind some downright atrocious squads in this time, his 23-62-14 record in 106 appearances is tough to look at.

Arvid has struggled this season as well with a 3.70 goals-against average (GAA) and .876 save percentage (SV%). The play of Knight up front has put increased pressure on the Swede, as he has proven to be a vast upgrade over the Blackhawks' previous starter, Petr Mrazek.

This begs the question of who this group's backup goalie should be for the 2026-27 season. While Soderblom still has a year remaining on his current deal, Commesso's recent play has given Blackhawks management something to think about.

Commesso has already spent three years in the AHL system. He is only one year younger than fellow American netminder Knight, the two having already spent time together with the US National Development Team program before Chicago. He has shown he can play at the NHL level in the chances he has been given, albeit in a small sample size.

Commesso will need to be extended in the offseason as his entry-level contract is expiring. It is hard to imagine him wanting another two-way deal at this rate, as he will be 24 next season. While the Blackhawks could operate with three goalies next year, it is doubtful the Chicago brass would want to run that. As a result, does general manager Kyle Davidson consider trading Soderblom over the summer to pave the way for Commesso to take over?

In the present, both goalies will want to end their respective seasons strongly to make their case. Soderblom's game has seen some improvement with the Swede recording his first career shutout in a 4-0 win over Utah on March 1. However, it took Arvid 100 more starts than Commesso to achieve that milestone. Commesso, meanwhile, will look to close out his year on a high with the IceHogs in what he hopes will be his last journey in Rockford.