How Soderblom's new deal could impact the Blackhawks goaltending depth chart

The Chicago Blackhawks' future is bright with plenty of prospects to get excited about and a few they may need to worry for. While the future may still be a few years away with a lot of top prospects, the Blackhawks' goaltending tandem seems to be taking shape for years to come.

This past weekend, the Blackhawks announced Arvid Soderblom had signed a two-year contract, keeping him in Chicago through 2026-27. Soderblom's new deal carries a $2,750,000 cap hit, and came just a few days before he was set to reach arbitration with the Hawks.

Soderblom, 25, played in 36 games last season putting up a 10-18-7 record and averaging a 3.18 goals against average. The Blackhawks netminder entered the season as a secondary choice behind Laurent Brossoit to back up Petr Mrazek. With Brossoit failing to suit up all year, Soderblom quickly stepped into the lineup and earned a spot with the Blackhawks.

Soderblom has played in 86 games throughout his NHL career, and last season was his best year to date. While Soderblom's new contract was the right call, it could have a lasting impact on the Blackhawks' goaltending depth.

How Arvid Soderblom's new contract could impact the Blackhawks' goaltending depth.

Kyle Davidson's trade last year for Spencer Knight seems to be setting up the young goaltender as the franchise's next starter—at least he will start next season with the opportunity to earn the spot in a contract year.

With Soderblom's new contract, it seems likely he will be the backup behind Knight, but Laurent Brossoit is still in the mix. Brossoit, who was not bought out by the Blackhawks, is in the final year of a $3.3 million contract.

With all three goaltenders on the roster, the Blackhawks will be paying over $10.5 million for all three goaltenders. Additionally, the Blackhawks have Drew Commesso playing with the Rockford IceHogs, entering the final year of his entry-level deal.

Commesso, who was drafted in the second round of the 2020 NHL Draft, seems destined to get a spot at the NHL at some point, but Davidson seems to have put a road block in his way with Knight and Soderblom.

Soderblom having a bounce back season last year was definitely a plus for the Blackhawks, but it also creates more of a logjam for Commesso to make his way to the NHL.

With Soderblom now signed, Davidson and the Blackhawks are going to have to address their goaltending depth chart. Entering the year with three goalies signed and expecting to play is not a great position to be in, especially with the Hawks wanting to focus their attention on Knight as the new starter.