Top 5 low-cost goaltenders the Blackhawks can sign in NHL free agency

While it’s still a few months before NHL free agency arrives, it’s never too early to talk about it if you are not in playoff contention. Unfortunately, this is where the Chicago Blackhawks find themselves, given their second-lowest points total of just 41 and going through a full rebuild. 

Because they are a rebuilding team, there is a good chance the Blackhawks don’t look to sign any prized free agents - though this certainly isn’t impossible. But, if general manager Kyle Davidson looks to build his prospects pool and prevent anyone from getting in the way, it’s best he looks for lower-cost free agents at forward, on the blue line, and in the crease should a potential opening emerge in the main lineup. 

While Petr Mrazek and Arvid Soderblom are slated to return next season, it doesn’t mean Davidson won’t look to add one more goaltender to the system. Soderblom hasn’t played well this season, posting just an 0.876 save percentage, a GAA of 4.02, and a 4-19-1 record, so he could be replaceable on the big club.

Blackhawks could look for a lower-cost goaltender in NHL free agency

We shouldn’t have expected much from Soderblom this season since the Blackhawks weren’t supposed to be a great team, but few thought he would struggle this badly. Instead of heading into 2024-25 assuming Soderblom could be the backup or 1B to Mrazek, Chicago should instead see if there is anyone worth taking in the free agent market to at least try and upgrade the position.

This year’s goaltending class isn’t a good one, yet there are plenty of players Davidson could sign for a season, stick them behind Mrazek, and at least provide quality insurance. He could also decide to go with a three-goaltender rotation, which, while not ideal, hasn’t been unheard of in recent seasons.  

Which netminders should Davidson look to sign to a short-term contract in 2024-25? Check out five possible players who won’t cost more than a minimum deal to bring in for a season. 

James Reimer will definitely be on the move following the season

If Kyle Davidson wanted to add someone with age and experience, James Reimer would be the way to go behind Petr Mrazek. Reimer, who has been with several organizations throughout his 14-year career, has been part of quite a few rebuilding projects. 

He spent his early days with the Toronto Maple Leafs in the pre-Auston Matthews era and more recently with the San Jose Sharks and the Detroit Red Wings. Reimer was supposed to be a key figure with Detroit this season, most likely as a 1B, but he’s seen his fair share of struggles. 

However, Reimer has a history of putting up solid performances when in a 1B or even a 1A role. It was something we saw earlier in his career during the 2012-13 season when he finished the year with a stellar 0.924 save percentage, a 2.46 GAA, and four shutouts, and those accolades led to a 23rd-place finish for the Hart Trophy. 

It’s been over a decade since that feat, but it also shows that Reimer can make the best out of situations with subpar or young talent. It was also something we saw in 2021-22 during his penultimate year with the San Jose Sharks, when, despite their slow decline, Reimer still put up respectable numbers. 

Eric Comrie has seen success in the past

Another former Winnipeg Jet, Eric Comrie’s best days came when he was star goaltender Connor Hellebyuck’s backup in 2021-22, posting a 2.58 GAA and a 0.920 save percentage, one shutout, and a 0.625 quality starts percentage. 

He hasn’t been the same player during his time with the Buffalo Sabres, where he’s spent two seasons as a backup goaltender. To be more accurate, Comrie’s stint in Buffalo has been forgettable, with a 10-16-1 record, a 3.74 GAA, and an 0.880 save percentage. He’s also logged 10 quality starts and just as many ‘really bad starts,’ so you may ask why he’s included here. 

The primary reason is this: Comrie has spent two seasons on what has been predominantly the NHL’s youngest team. He would know what he’s walking into if the Blackhawks signed him in free agency, and he would also understand the situation. 

Plus, there is no way Comrie would get in anyone’s way in Chicago’s prospects pool, so he also makes for outstanding organizational depth. Comrie is a fringe NHL talent, but that’s okay if the Blackhawks add or have anyone in their prospects pool who they plan on calling up to the big club or if they decide to keep Arvid Soderblom at the NHL level. 

Casey DeSmith would make for a good stopgap as a 1B

Casey DeSmith is currently the No. 1 goaltender with the Vancouver Canucks, substituting for the injured Thatcher Demko. However, DeSmith is a No. 2 goaltender and one who could factor in as a true backup if the Blackhawks don’t plan on keeping Soderblom in the lineup next year. 

This situation would lead to Petr Mrazek taking most of the reps while DeSmith starts every few games. While this season has not gone his way, especially with Vancouver’s latest loss, DeSmith had a serviceable run with the Pittsburgh Penguins, for whom he played five seasons. 

Never a No. 1 goaltender in the Steel City, DeSmith still snagged 58 wins, a 0.912 save percentage, a 2.81 GAA, and nine shutouts. Like the other low-cost goaltenders on this list, DeSmith isn’t a player the Blackhawks should look to keep any longer than one season if they signed him, but he is a reliable stopgap, especially if he plays in no more than 25 games. 

Like Comrie, DeSmith would also understand the situation in Chicago, and he would likely make way for someone coming through the ranks later in the season. If the Blackhawks have a goaltender in their system next season they feel is one year away from making it to the lineup, it makes the one-year deal DeSmith would likely sign even more enticing. 

Kevin Lankinen could find his way back with the Blackhawks

Kevin Lankinen would be a familiar face with the Chicago Blackhawks since he spent time with the organization for two seasons before he signed with the Nashville Predators. Lankinen didn’t have the easiest time in the Windy City, finishing with just a 0.901 save percentage and a 3.23 GAA, but he fared much better so far in Tennessee. 

No, Lankinen’s numbers aren’t great this season despite his 9-4-0 record, but even star goaltender Juuse Saros has struggled through a down year. This tells us the issues in Nashville could be on the team itself instead of the goaltending, and it’s also worth looking back at 2022-23 when he posted a 0.916 save percentage and a solid 2.75 GAA. 

Like DeSmith and the other goaltenders here, Lankinen would be in town for a year just to serve as Mrazek’s backup until the Blackhawks find a long-term solution in the crease. There is, however, a good chance Juuse Saros departs in the offseason via trade. Should he go elsewhere, Lankinen could stick around in Nashville and at least take part in a competition for a starting job with one of the league’s better teams. 

(Statistics provided by Hockey-Reference)