Blackhawks Make Bold Bet on Soderblom with Two-Year, $5.5M Deal to Anchor Goaltending Future

Blackhawks Secure Arvid Soderblom with Two-Year Deal, Strengthen Goaltending Depth Ahead of Key Season

The Chicago Blackhawks wasted no time on Saturday morning, signing Swedish goaltender Arvid Soderblom to a two-year, $5.5 million contract and avoiding an arbitration hearing that had been scheduled for Monday. The $2.75 million annual cap hit significantly exceeds Evolving Hockey’s $1.5 million projection, signaling the organization’s confidence in Soderblom’s upside.

With plenty of cap space available, Chicago chose to bet on Soderblom’s growth as they continue their rebuild. The 25-year-old now has two seasons to prove he can become a reliable NHL goalie before reaching unrestricted free agency at age 28.

After a tough rookie year in 2023–24, Soderblom showed improvement last season. He opened strong with a .909 save percentage through 16 games and ended the year with a .898 mark over 36 appearances—just below the league average.

Per Chicago Sun-Times reporter Ben Pope, Soderblom is expected to back up Spencer Knight this season. Knight, who carries a $4.5 million cap hit, is in the final year of his contract and will be a restricted free agent next summer. Veteran goalie Laurent Brossoit remains in the mix as well, adding further depth—and potential competition—to the crease.

The new contract provides Soderblom with both financial security and a clear opportunity to carve out a long-term role. With only defenseman Wyatt Kaiser left unsigned—he’s expected to sign a two-year deal worth roughly $1.5 million annually—the Blackhawks’ roster is nearly locked in.

Since making his NHL debut on January 1, 2022, Soderblom has faced a winding path, but this new deal gives him a chance to stabilize his place within the team. As the Blackhawks continue to build for the future, securing a developing goaltender like Soderblom is a meaningful step toward long-term success.