Blackhawks First Domino Falls With Soderblom Placed On Waivers

November 8, 2026 · Yahoo Sports

The Chicago Blackhawks wasted no time making the first of what could be a series of moves this week after returning home from last night’s debacle in Carolina, capping off a nightmarish 0-3-0 Southeast road trip.

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Backup goaltender Arvid Soderblom was placed on waivers Sunday afternoon, with all 31 other NHL teams having a chance to claim him and his contract, which carries a $2.75 million cap hit and expires at the end of this season.

If Soderblom clears waivers, he’ll be assigned to the Rockford IceHogs in the AHL on Monday. Regardless, the Blackhawks will now look elsewhere for Spencer Knight’s backup, with 2020 second-round pick Drew Commesso being the primary candidate to replace Soderblom.

Soderblom (CHI) & Poirier (WASH) on waivers
— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) November 8, 2026

Commesso has patiently waited for his first full-time opportunity with the Blackhawks, serving as the IceHogs starter for the last three-plus years. The 24-year-old received a two-year contract extension this past summer after looking sharp in three spot starts in 2025-26 for the Blackhawks, going 2-1-0 with a .918 save percentage and one shutout.

It’s been a mixed bag for Commesso so far this year with Rockford, with a 2-4-1 record and a .890 save percentage in his first seven appearances. However, he’s been waiting in the wings for a while now, and the Blackhawks re-signed him this summer for a reason. It’s time to give him an opportunity as the NHL backup.

For Soderblom, it’s hard to say the development is surprising at this point, with an .885 career save percentage in 117 games for the Blackhawks since 2021-22. In his first five games this season, the 27-year-old Swede was 0-3-1 with a measly .842 save percentage and -6.1 goals saved above expected.

Soderblom is ranked among the NHL’s worst goaltenders again early in 2026-27.

Worst Goaltenders – November 8 pic.twitter.com/TeXcTbax7d
— JFresh (@JFreshHockey) November 8, 2026

While the Blackhawks certainly have more glaring issues to solve than their backup goaltender, they have to start somewhere, and placing Soderblom on waivers is a warranted decision.

Without a reliable No. 2 option, Chicago has started Knight 14 times in 18 games. They’ve leaned on the 25-year-old heavily so far, and it’s time to take some pressure off his shoulders.

We’ll see on Monday whether Soderblom gets claimed off waivers or if he clears and reports to Rockford. The Blackhawks are scheduled to practice Monday morning, and it will be interesting to see whether Commesso will be with the NHL club.

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