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Blackhawks of Tomorrow: Arvid Soderblom is Ready for Chicago

Originally posted on Chicago Hockey Now | By Nate Brown | Last updated 6/17/23

(Editor’s Note: This is the 12th installment in Chicago Hockey Now’s Blackhawks of Tomorrow series about Chicago Blackhawks prospects. Today we look at goalie Arvid Söderblom).

Analysis

Söderblom received a two-year extension back in May and it all but signals his shot at a full-time gig in Chicago. The 23-year-old netminder was solid for Rockford with a 15-12-5 mark with a .905 save percentage. The experience in Chicago was a bit rockier, as he posted a 2-10-2 mark and a .894 save percentage. Söderblom was called into action because of injury and filled in as admirably as expected–and posted his first career NHL win back in November.

First NHL W
First belt
What a night for Arvid Soderblom! #BetweenThePipes pic.twitter.com/rgKKtp8rlC

— Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) November 4, 2022

His playoff performance for Rockford was stellar in the play-in round where the IceHogs, standing tall in a pair of overtime games that went in the IceHogs favor. Though swept in the best-of-five series against Texas, Söderblom was tested often during each game, including a 35-save effort in a 5-3 Game 1 loss.

Forecast for Arvid Söderblom

Söderblom is set to get his chance in Chicago and some it will depend on what general manager Kyle Davidson decides to do with the goalie tandem. Does he go with Söderblom as the backup? Does he bring a veteran in, or potentially re-sign Alex Stalock if he can’t find a deal on the open market?

Söderblom’s new contract still makes him waiver exempt, giving Chicago freedom to move him back and forth. This also gives the 6’3 goalie the opportunity to still grow into his game without the put-up-or-shut-up pressure that can come with a new contract.

The deal puts both the Blackhawks and Söderblom into a good spot heading into the 2023-24 season.