Chicago Blackhawks, IceHogs goaltenders on pace for rebuild

Jaxson Stauber and Drew Commesso

Jaxson Stauber is a goaltender who gets swept under the rug frequently due to the IceHogs also having Drew Commesso alongside Stauber. However, Stauber had better stats in the NCAA, and this season both goalies are just a mere .1 SV% away from each other, as close as it gets.

Stauber started the year off poorly, with a .888 SV% going into the new year. However, after working closely with the goaltending staff, Stauber has since risen from a .888 to a .904 SV%. He has passed Corey Crawford mfor most wins in a row when he won eight straight games. However, he is currently riding a 13-game win streak.

His last loss came two and a half months ago. Stauber has an incredible .927 SV% in the span. Another upside of Stauber is his puck play. He has one goal and four assists for five points on the season. Four more points than any other goalie.

Most people will point out the offense. However, that is not the case once you study his game. Stauber is frequently setting up plays behind the net out for IceHogs breakouts, one of the most consistent "third defenseman" prospects there currently is. On the season, Stauber's 18-7-3 with a .904 SV% and 2.77 GAA. We expect him to back up Mrazek to start the season in Chicago.

The 2020 second-round 46th overall is currently in his first pro season with the Rockford IceHogs. While we said that both Drew Commesso and Stauber have almost identical stats, it has truly helped Rockford to have two reliable goaltenders, both benefit from playing every other game.

Commesso has been talked about as the Blackhawks' future goaltender

While he was consistent in Rockford this season much like Stauber, he will have to get his numbers up next season to justify putting him on the final Hawks roster the following season after that. He is a very controlled goalie who many say reminds them of Tuukka Rask.

He does not over-simplify his game and seems most times to be in the right place at the right time for the shot. Commesso is 17-16-4 on the season with a .905 SV% and 2.67 GAA. We expect him to be back in Rockford next season as he has two years remaining on his three-year entry-level deal.