Chicago Blackhawks netminder Arvid Söderblom made what is likely to be the final starting appearance of his 2025-26 season last night, registering 23 saves on 28 shots in the team’s 5-3 loss to the St. Louis Blues.
With Söderblom’s campaign now over, focus has shifted to his future in Chicago, which at this moment looks uncertain. The Athletic’s Scott Powers wrote after the game that “the Blackhawks need to decide before next training camp” specifically “where the bar is for their No. 2 goalie,” and whether Söderblom meets that bar.
The Blackhawks’ future in net in terms of No. 1 goalie is not really in question – 24-year-old Spencer Knight had a solid season, posting a .904 save percentage in 53 games played. He’s under contract at a $5.83MM AAV for three more years. What is in question is who will back up Knight, someone Powers said is in line to receive around 60 starts per season moving forward.
Söderblom, 26, has shown flashes of promise in the NHL. Overall, though, his time at the game’s highest level has been characterized by its inconsistency. 
This season, Söderblom has gone 8-13-3 with an .880 save percentage. Last year, he was 10-18-7 with an .898 save percentage.
Of course, these recent Blackhawks teams have not been the most favorable for a goalie to play behind. That is certainly a factor to take into account when considering Söderblom’s performances.
But even still, the reality is he has not shown the level of consistency in his performances teams often look for in their goaltenders. That leaves him vulnerable to challenges for Chicago’s No. 2 goalie role entering next season.
Söderblom is under contract for 2026-27 at a $2.75MM cap hit. That means he’s likely to at least begin the season within the Blackhawks organization, barring a trade. That cap hit also means that he’s unlikely to be claimed off of waivers, as players who come with less of a financial commitment attached are often prioritized on the waiver wire, especially at the start of the season. That could pave the way for 23-year-old 2020 second-round pick Drew Commesso to swipe the team’s backup role from Söderblom.
With that said, Commesso won’t require waivers next season, so if there is any fear that Söderblom might not clear and be able to be assigned to the Rockford IceHogs, the principle of asset management might prevail and allow Söderblom to retain his NHL role. There is also the possibility, however slim, that the Blackhawks might look outside their organization in order to add veteran support behind Knight.
In any case, Söderblom’s 2025-26 is now in the books, shifting the focus to what will be a crucially important summer for the future of his time in Chicago. As Powers noted, he still has a legitimate chance to return as the team’s No. 2 goalie next season, but it would be a mistake to classify his hold on that role as anything but vulnerable.
Photos courtesy of Brad Penner-Imagn Images