Who Patrols the Pipes for the Blackhawks in the Future?
Chicago Blackhawks' General Manager Kyle Davidson made it official recently- the Blackhawks are in a rebuild. Not a Stan Bowman «rebuild,» but an actual rebuild. Moving Brandon Hagel, Marc-Andre Fleury and Ryan Carpenter are proof that he is serious. Davidson will likely keep a few key pieces and build around them with youth, with prospects. This includes the goaltending position, but different considerations may need to be made since goalies tend to develop more slowly and hit their groove around 25-26 years of age. So, if the Blackhawks look to rebuild over the next 3-5 years, which prospect fits the bill? Here, in order, are the best bets for the Blackhawks as they come out of the rebuild.
Drew Commesso is the goalie of the future. He is not the Blackhawks goalie for next year as he is only 19 years old. However, if Davidson brings him along slowly, he will be ready in three to five years and the long term plan for the Hawks. As an 18 year old, Commesso played for the US Nationals U18 team. He went 18-7-0 with a 2.05 GAA and a .920 Save %. In the past two seasons at Boston University, Commesso was 19-14-4 tallying a 2.76 GAA and a .915 save %. He has the pedigree to be an NHL goalie if Chicago develops him correctly.
Arvid Soderblom is the immediate choice between the pipes. He has the potential to be a starting goalie in the league; he is only 22 years old which means he is still developing and has posted excellent numbers in Rockford. Do not put too much emphasis on his two NHL games this season. He was not ready and the conditions were less than ideal. In Rockford, Soderblom is 13-10-2 with a sub 3 GAA and .918 save %. A strong offseason with the Hawks and proper preparation with coach Jimmy Waite should have Arvid ready for the 2022-2023 season.
Kevin Lankinen is the most experienced goalie on the roster. In 2020-2021, Lankinen looked like he was ready to take the mantle as the starting goalie for the Blackhawks. He was 17-14-5 during that season. Sadly for Lankinen, Stan Bowman traded for Marc-Andre Fleury which diminished Lankinen's playing time and had adverse effects on his game. His GAA jumped to 3.63 and his save percentage fell to .886. Kevin Lankinen will split duty with Arvid Soderblom next season. If he finds his 2020 form, he could lead this team through the rebuild.
Jaxson Stauber is a 22 year old prospect who plays for Providence University. He posted a record of 32-21-7 as their goalie. He had an excellent GAA of 2.17. Prior to Providence, Stauber played for the Sioux Falls Stampede. His record there was impressive: 38-20-7. Although Stauber is the same age as Soderblom, he will need to be brought along more slowly. He will need to be treated more like Commesso.
Collin Delia, 27 years old, is a serviceable backup at best. He has been given ample opportunity to this point and has not made the most of it. Delia is 27 years old and has posted a 9-9-4 record in 27 appearances. In Rockford, Delia has been particularly good posting a 59-39-11 record. He is solid, but I think he has reached his ceiling. If the Blackhawks are playing for the future, he will not be their goalie.
Dominic Basse is a long shot for sure. His record at Colorado College is 10-26-3. However, he is only 20 years old and he is 6'6». If the Blackhawks commit to his development, he could eventually see some ice time.
Cale Morris and Ivan Nalimov are likely to never see the ice for the Blackhawks. They are 25 and 28 respectively and both need a ton of development to be ready for the NHL. With their ages and their current development, the Blackhawks will likely not to commit to them.
The answer- commit to Drew Commesso and develop him to be the goalie of the future. Work with Arvid Soderblom now as he has potential to be a one-two punch in net for the Hawks. Beyond that, Lankinen can provide immediate stability. Hopefully, the Blackhawks stay the course and develop properly for years of success in the future.
| POLL | ||
Of the current goalies/prospects, who will be the goalie of the future? | ||
| Kevin Lankinen | 47 | 22 % |
| Arvid Soderblom | 62 | 29 % |
| Drew Commesso | 67 | 31.3 % |
| Jaxson Stauber | 38 | 17.8 % |
| List of polls | ||
