There was finally a positive sight for the Chicago Blackhawks on Thursday morning as goaltender Laurent Brossoit took the ice ahead of practice, his first appearance in well over a year. For a player who hasn’t seen NHL action since April 2024, it’s a significant step forward after what has been a long and frustrating stretch filled with setbacks, surgeries, and uncertainty.
While Brossoit is still far from returning to game action, his presence at the United Center marks a potential turning point. The veteran netminder signed a two-year, $6.6 million contract with the Chicago Blackhawks last offseason but has yet to play a single minute for the team. With months of rehab behind him and a crease now dominated by young, in-form goalies, his path back to the NHL remains anything but clear.
A grueling year of injuries and surgeries
Apr 13, 2024; Denver, Colorado, USA; Winnipeg Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck (37) reacts with goaltender Laurent Brossoit (39) after the game against the Colorado Avalanche at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
Laurent Brossoit’s journey since joining the Chicago Blackhawks has been nothing short of challenging. After signing as a free agent in the summer of 2024, expectations were high that he would bring experience and stability behind starter Petr Mrázek. However, things quickly took a turn for the worse.
In late August 2024, Brossoit underwent meniscus surgery on his knee, an injury initially expected to sideline him for a couple of months. Instead, his recovery kept getting delayed, and by November, he was officially listed as out indefinitely. Around Thanksgiving, he underwent a second knee procedure, which was supposed to set him up for a mid-January return. But that comeback never materialized.
After months of silence, the Blackhawks eventually shut him down for the rest of the 2024–25 season. To make matters worse, he had to undergo yet another operation, this time on his hip, over the summer. General manager Kyle Davidson confirmed at training camp that Brossoit would remain out for the long term, leading many to believe he might never actually suit up for the Chicago Blackhawks.
That’s why Thursday’s development is so significant. Seeing Brossoit back on the ice, even just for light skating, represents a huge personal milestone after over a year of rehabilitation. However, after such a long layoff, it’s likely still weeks or even months before he’s ready to play again.
Before his string of injuries, Brossoit was coming off the best stretch of his career. In 2023–24, he posted a .927 save percentage, a 2.00 goals-against average (GAA), and three shutouts in 22 starts for the Winnipeg Jets. The year before, with the Vegas Golden Knights, he went 7-0-3 with a .927 SV% and 2.17 GAA. Statistically, he ranked among the NHL’s top six goalies in goals saved above expected, proving himself as one of the league’s most efficient backups.
That version of Brossoit is precisely who the Chicago Blackhawks were hoping to get, a reliable, experienced goaltender who could lighten the workload of an aging starter. Unfortunately, his health had other plans.
No clear path back into Chicago’s crease
Apr 11, 2024; Dallas, Texas, USA; Winnipeg Jets goaltender Laurent Brossoit (39) skates back up the ice during the second period against the Dallas Stars at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Even if Brossoit makes a full recovery, finding a place for him in the current Chicago Blackhawks lineup could be difficult. The team’s goaltending situation has evolved dramatically over the past year, largely thanks to the emergence of Spencer Knight.
Acquired from the Florida Panthers as part of the Seth Jones deal, Knight has been nothing short of outstanding this season. In 13 starts, the 23-year-old has a .924 save percentage, a 2.42 GAA, and 14.7 goals saved above expected, making him one of the league’s best goaltenders so far. His calm presence and athletic style have turned him into the backbone of Chicago’s defense.
Backing him up is Arvid Söderblom, a 26-year-old who proved last season that he can handle NHL minutes. Though his starts have been limited this year, he’s been solid with a 2-2-1 record, a .913 SV%, and a 2.63 GAA, more than enough to maintain his spot as the team’s secondary option.
That leaves Brossoit without a clear role. Carrying three goalies isn’t practical for the Blackhawks, especially with Knight handling the bulk of the starts. If Brossoit is medically cleared, he’ll likely be placed on waivers and assigned to the AHL’s Rockford IceHogs to regain conditioning and form.
Given his extended absence, it’s unlikely that any team would trade for him until he proves he can handle consistent playing time again. Still, his return to the ice offers hope, both for himself and for Chicago’s goaltending depth. If he can stay healthy, he could yet become a valuable piece, whether as insurance for Knight or as a trade option before next summer’s free agency.
For now, Chicago Blackhawks fans can take solace in seeing a once-promising addition finally back in uniform. After everything he’s endured, Laurent Brossoit’s comeback effort deserves nothing short of admiration.
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