yahoo
The Chicago Blackhawks have called up goaltender Drew Commesso from their American Hockey League affiliate, the Rockford IceHogs, the team announced Sunday. The recall comes just hours after the organization placed netminder Arvid Soderblom on waivers, signaling a shift in the depth chart behind starter Spencer Knight.
Commesso, a 24-year-old native of Norwell, Massachusetts, was chosen by Chicago in the second round of the 2020 NHL Draft. He has spent the past three-plus seasons developing in the minors with Rockford, where he has been the IceHogs' primary starter since the 2023-24 campaign. The young goaltender has been patiently awaiting a full-time opportunity at the NHL level, and that chance has now arrived.
In a brief stint with the Blackhawks last season, Commesso appeared in three games and posted a 2-1-0 record with a .918 save percentage. His strong showing earned him a two-year contract extension over the summer. The Blackhawks are hopeful that Commesso can provide more stability as Knight's backup than Soderblom, who struggled in the role and ultimately lost his job.
Initially, Commesso was not expected to join the NHL roster until Monday, once Soderblom's waiver fate was determined. Because Soderblom remains on the NHL roster until 1:00 p.m. CT on Monday—when he will either be claimed by another club or assigned to Rockford—there did not appear to be enough room for Commesso. However, the Blackhawks created a roster spot by placing Patrick Kane on injured reserve with an upper-body injury, retroactive to Nov. 2.
Kane's placement on injured reserve is largely procedural and should not be cause for alarm. He can be activated at any time, and if cleared, he could return as soon as Thursday against the Buffalo Sabres. His injury status will become clearer after Monday's practice. The move was necessary to allow Commesso to practice on Monday while the team awaits Soderblom's waiver outcome.
Key Analysis
The recall of Commesso and the placement of Kane on injured reserve are interconnected moves that reflect the Blackhawks' need to manage their roster under NHL rules. By placing Kane on IR retroactively, the team buys flexibility without jeopardizing his availability. Commesso's promotion signals a vote of confidence in the young netminder, who has shown promise in limited NHL action. His performance as Knight's backup could be crucial for a Chicago team looking to stabilize its goaltending situation.
Originally reported by yahoo.