After earning his first NHL win and shutout in a spectacular 36-save showing against the Nashville Predators, goaltender Drew Commesso was among a group of three players assigned to the Rockford IceHogs of the AHL on Sunday. Kevin Korchinski and Stanislav Berezhnoy were also returned to Rockford.
For Commesso, a former second-round pick in 2020, he’s back in the minor leagues, where he’s spent the majority of his pro career thus far, to continue developing. With the NHL tandem of Spencer Knight and Arvid Soderblom having shed the recent flu/stomach bug that’s been going around the team, there was nowhere else for Commesso to go.
Now in the final year of his entry-level contract, Commesso doubled his NHL experience last weekend by starting in both of the Blackhawks’ games with Knight and Soderblom ill. He’s appeared in just four games, and only started three, even though he’s been a pro since the 2023-24 campaign.
Commesso’s first two seasons with Rockford have been strong, but not otherworldly. He’s won 18 games twice and has shown signs of growth from year to year, improving both his goals-against average (2.65 to 2.54) and save percentage (.906 to .911). And despite the IceHogs currently sitting as the second-worst team in their division, he still has a modest .909 save percentage in 19 appearances this year.
Perhaps the most impressive part of Commesso’s pro resume is his performance in the Calder Cup Playoffs, where he’s been stout despite two early exits from the IceHogs. In three games as a rookie, he posted a 2.57 goals-against average and a .915 save percentage. Then, in seven games last year, he was even better, with a 2.35 goals-against average, .926 save percentage, and one shutout.
There’s been enough promise from Commesso to believe he can be Knight’s backup of the future; however, he likely won’t get that opportunity, unless an injury occurs, before his contract expires this summer. Soderblom re-signed as a restricted free agent back in July, inking a deal that runs through the 2026-27 season. It’s been another roller-coaster ride for Soderblom so far as the No. 2 goalie, but the Hawks appear to be committed to him in that spot… for now. More on that in just a moment.
Before Laurent Brossoit was traded to the San Jose Sharks last week, Chicago wasn’t willing to showcase him in NHL action and take away starts from either Knight or Soderblom. Brossoit was left playing in Rockford until he was dealt, stuck outside the big-league roster, just like Commesso.
The expectation is that Commesso will re-sign with the Blackhawks as an arbitration-eligible restricted free agent. If he does return as anticipated, however, he could still be in line to serve as the IceHogs’ starter once again, with Soderblom having another year left on his contract. That is, unless Commesso impresses the front office enough to let him battle Soderblom for the backup job next fall.
Saturday’s effort should help that cause, as Commesso finally got to flash his upside at the highest level. General Manager Kyle Davidson and Co., who didn’t draft Commesso, for what it’s worth, have seen what he can do in the minors. But that was their first look at his potential with the Blackhawks.
Remaining patient and allowing Commesso to over-marinate in the AHL has been a reasonable decision from Davidson. After all, that’s how he’s handled most of his prospects so far. Commesso still needs to refine parts of his game, but he’s closing in on the time to transition to the NHL. He’s set to turn 24 years old in July and is approaching his 100th minor-league game.
During CHSN’s pregame show on Monday, NHL insider Frank Seravalli provided an interesting report surrounding the Blackhawks’ backup goaltender job. According to Seravalli, Chicago has some concerns about Soderblom, given that he’s been wildly inconsistent again this season.
“You’d think [Soderblom] would have this position on lock. Not quite. I don’t know if the Hawks are ready to hand it to Commesso yet, but it’s becoming a question with Soderblom’s numbers so far this season, plus his overall career workload. Exactly 100 games played at the NHL level. Sub .900 save percentage and well under that this season. This is an interesting stretch for him to see if he can put up some better numbers to make the Hawks not have to think about the position headed into the summer.”
Soderblom is 5-7-1 with a 3.87 goals-against average and .873 save percentage in 13 starts with the Blackhawks in 2025-26. In 100 career NHL games, he’s 18-48-10 with a 3.60 goals-against and .887 save percentage.
The second half of the season is now seemingly very crucial for Soderblom’s future in Chicago. Should he continue to struggle, a trade or some sort of transaction could be on the horizon this offseason, as Commesso waits in the wings.
While Commesso wasn’t drafted by Davidson, giving an up-and-comer the backup spot would make far more sense than allowing Soderblom, who’s yet to prove much of anything to the organization, to remain behind Knight.
Soderblom has appeared in at least 15 games for the Blackhawks in every season since 2022-23, and he’s yet to have a GAA below 3.00 or a Sv% above .900. If he can’t show that he belongs in the NHL before the year ends, it’s time to give Commesso a shot as the No. 2 netminder.
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