Arvid Söderblom is expected to beat out Drew Commesso and start the season as the Chicago Blackhawks backup goaltender to starter Spencer Knight .
It may be the last year that's the case.
Söderblom, 27, is headed into the final year of a two-year, $5.5 million contract, making an unrestricted free agent after this season. The native of Gothenburg, Sweden, has played in 112 games (101 starts) with the Hawks since signing as an undrafted free agent in May 2021.
Söderblom is hoping for a rebound after a tough 2025-26 season. He played in 26 games (24 starts), going 8-13-3 with a .880 save percentage, 3.80 goals-against-average and his first career shutout.
Commesso , who signed a two-year, $1.75 million contract this summer, is biding his time in Rockford while hoping to be Knight's backup for 2027-28 and beyond.
For now, Söderblom's still wearing a Hawks sweater. But he knows this might be a prove-it season for him.
"I feel like in this league, you've always got to prove yourself and improve," Söderblom said. "I don't view this any (differently) from another year. You can use that as more motivation or more fuel to get even better and put yourself in a good spot."
The bond in the goalie room remains strong through the competition and highs and lows of each player. Commesso and Knight are close friends, while Söderblom knows both well.
"I've known Drew for many years," Söderblom said of the 2020 draft pick. "(We've) spent a lot of time together during camps. He's a great guy. Same thing with Spencer too. (Spencer's) such a humble and hardworking partner to have, and I think we can learn from each other and push each other in practice. We know that if both of us are playing well, it's going to benefit the other (and) it's going to benefit the team."
Coach Jeff Blashill and company eventually will need to decide if Söderblom is in the Hawks' long-term plans. That's not the focus now as the Hawks prepare for the season opener Tuesday night in Las Vegas.
"I get the whole thing, it's just not the way I look at it internally, and I hope that's not the way he looks at it," Blashill said. "As a goalie, you have a next-shot mentality — you're not worrying about things that are way down the road, you're worrying about the next shot, next game.
"Everybody knows they have to perform at a high level to stay in this league, regardless of contract status. He's not alone in that, (and) to worry about next year and get away from focusing on day to day would be a mistake by him and certainly not something that we'll do."
Söderblom's stats aren't the prettiest, but all fingers shouldn't be pointed his direction. He took 30-plus shots in a game 12 times last season — and half of were 40-plus-shot games. On Dec. 7 in Anaheim , Calif., the Ducks had 53 shots on goal, of which Söderblom saved 46.
The Hawks need to prioritize lifting pressure off Söderblom and Knight. The St. Louis Blues launched 36 shots at the Swedish goaltender in Thursday's preseason game, in which he saved 35 in the 1-0 loss.
But Söderblom doesn't mind the extra traffic.
"Those games are always a little special because you're getting outworked in your zone for some time and you're going to get a little more tired during those games," Söderblom said. "It happened a few times last year, and that's the time when you can make a difference as a goalie. I love that kind of challenge — it's something that you've got to love — to be the difference-maker."
The Hawks' new additions can be difference-makers this season. The acquisitions of defensemen Bowen Byram and Ian Cole as well as hard-checking forwards such as Cole Smith and Jordan Greenway hope to eliminate opponents' breakaways and scoring chances.
On top of that, Patrick Kane 's return has given the Hawks a new look. It's something Söderblom would like to be a part of beyond this season.
"I've been here for six years and I've loved every minute of it," Söderblom said. "That's something that I'm picturing here."
