Arvid Soderblom has cleared waivers and been sent back to Rockford, with the Blackhawks bringing up Drew Commesso on Monday in a straightforward goalie swap. It is a move that changes the active roster, but not the deeper questions around a team still trying to steady itself through a difficult 1-8-1 stretch.
The Blackhawks returned to practice on Monday after reports on Sunday night that there would be no coaching or staff changes. Patrick Kane and Bowen Byram were present in non-contact jerseys, while the team also had both players on injured reserve.
What the move means for Arvid Soderblom
Soderblom had been placed on waivers before being cleared and reassigned to the IceHogs. In practical terms, that sends him back to Rockford and opens the door for Commesso to join the NHL roster.
The timing matters because the Blackhawks are trying to arrest a slump rather than overhaul the whole operation. Jeff Blashill made it clear that he does not believe full-scale change is always the answer, noting that sweeping moves can sometimes make things worse rather than better.
That is a sensible approach in a season where the problems are broader than one goaltending decision. The Blackhawks have struggled to find consistency, and the numbers around the move underline that point.
Why Drew Commesso gets the call
Commesso’s numbers with the IceHogs were 2-4-1-1 with a.890 save percentage and a 2.74 goals-against average, while Rockford’s overall start stood at 5-7-0-1. Those are not eye-catching figures, but they do show a goalie who has been working through a full stretch of games in the minors and is now getting a chance at the next level.
For the Blackhawks, the change is less about declaring a winner and more about adjusting the mix. With the team in a rough run and the roster already dealing with injuries, the organization is looking for a cleaner fit and a different look in net.
Spencer Knight’s recent assessment of the situation also captured the mood around the room. He said the players should be “pissed off at ourselves” for allowing the team to get into this position, and added that they put Soderblom in “pretty shitty spots.”
That is the central issue here: the goaltending move is real, but it sits inside a much bigger team problem. Monday brought a roster change, not a reset, and the next few games will show whether the Blackhawks can support Commesso better than they supported the men before him.
