The Chicago Blackhawks have made a surprising roster move calling up goaltender Drew Commesso while sending Isaak Phillips to the AHL’s Rockford IceHogs. Multiple outlets indicated that backup netminder Arvid Soderblom will be out of tonight’s action with an illness giving context to the transaction.
It’ll likely be a short-term stay for Commesso in Chicago given that Soderblom is only out with an illness. There’s no expectation he’ll get the first start of his career this evening but could feature in the game should Petr Mrazek’s night not go according to plan.
It wouldn’t be the worst idea for the Blackhawks to give Commesso a tryout, especially against a struggling Nashville Predators offense. He’s arguably the top goaltending prospect for the Blackhawks after managing an 18-16-4 record with the IceHogs last year with a .906 save percentage and 2.65 goals against average including two shutouts. Unfortunately for Commesso, there’s a narrow pathway to getting the full-time callup in Chicago with Mrazek and Soderblom providing solid play in the crease to start the season and Laurent Brossoit recovering from an injury.
Phillips finds himself on the other side of this transaction for the third time this season. He hasn’t suited up for the Blackhawks yet this season as the team’s seventh defenseman and has only featured in one game for Rockford. He may no longer have a long-term spot on the Blackhawks blue line but it would be best for his development if he could spend a decent chunk of time in a consistent role.