Blackhawks Place Arvid Söderblom on Waivers, Recall Drew Commesso

Sunday marked the first of what will hopefully be several adjustments this week for the Blackhawks, with Drew Commesso taking over for Arvid Soderblom as the team’s backup netminder.

The move ends Soderblom’s run of more than three seasons as the Chicago Blackhawks backup. The 27-year-old was placed on waivers Sunday, according to multiple reports.

Should he clear waivers untouched, the organization could opt to terminate or buy out his deal, or alternatively send him down to the American Hockey League’s Rockford IceHogs. Soderblom is in the second year of a two-year contract and is set to be an unrestricted free agent after this season.

Söderblom has struggled significantly early this campaign. In five appearances and four starts this season, he has recorded a 4.67 goals-against average, an .847 save percentage, and a 0-3-1 record.

He allowed several soft goals in a 4-1 loss Thursday against the Lightning and surrendered three more goals in relief Saturday. Since the start of last season, his minus-18.2 goals saved above average ranks sixth-worst in the NHL, per Natural Stat Trick.

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Commesso now steps in to back up Spencer Knight. Knight has shouldered a heavy workload, starting 14 of the team’s 18 games, a pace for 65 starts that probably is not sustainable. Commesso, 24, signed a two-year, $1.75 million contract in the offseason that converts to a one-way deal next season.

In Rockford, Commesso has posted a 2.75 goals-against average, a .905 save percentage, and a 51-55-11 record with eight shutouts across 121 career appearances. While he went 2-4-1 with an .890 save percentage early this AHL season, he impressed during three NHL starts last year, going 2-1-0 with a .918 save percentage, including a shutout against the Nashville Predators.

Drew Commesso — Photo: chicago.suntimes.com

Knowing I belong at the NHL level has allowed me to carry myself a little differently in a lot of good ways, Commesso said in training camp.

To clear a roster spot for the goaltender change, the Blackhawks placed Patrick Kane on injured reserve retroactive to Monday. Kane could return to the lineup as soon as Thursday’s game against the Buffalo Sabres if he receives medical clearance.