Blackhawks Recall Drew Commesso

The Blackhawks announced Tuesday that they’ve recalled goaltender Drew Commesso from AHL Rockford. Arvid Söderblom is the projected starter tonight against the Ducks, Charlie Roumeliotis of WGN Radio 720 relays, indicating that Petr Mrázek likely isn’t available for a yet-to-be-disclosed reason.

Commesso, 22, has already been recalled once this season. He came up to the NHL roster for a few days in late October while Söderblom was dealing with an illness, but Mrazék started a set of back-to-back games against the Predators and Stars while Commesso remained on the bench as the backup.

A 2020 second-round pick, Commesso has been a contender for Chicago’s “goalie of the future” moniker for a few years. The 6’2″ netminder isn’t off to a promising start in Rockford this season, though, posting a 3.71 GAA, .854 SV%, and a 2-4-0 record in six appearances. He’s likely earned some grace after a spectacular run of play at Boston University and a decent .906 SV% in 38 games for Rockford last year, but being outperformed by the AHL-contracted Mitchell Weeks so far this season is undoubtedly a cause for concern.

Nonetheless, Commesso gets what’s likely a short-term summons to relieve Mrázek as the Blackhawks’ only available recall option. Chicago entered the season with only four goalies under contract, including veteran UFA signing Laurent Brossoit, who’s been on injured reserve since the beginning of the year while recovering from meniscus surgery.

Brossoit’s missed around a month more than expected, leaving the Blackhawks in a pinch. They have seven contract slots remaining, though, and could easily sign Weeks to an NHL deal if necessary to give themselves another option to add to the roster.

Nonetheless, goaltending hasn’t been an issue for the Blackhawks this season. Mrázek has floated around last year’s numbers with a .906 SV% and 2.79 GAA, along with some improved team defense, while the 25-year-old Söderblom has taken leaps and bounds forward in his development with a sparkling .934 SV% and 2.22 GAA in five appearances. Despite that stellar play, Chicago has just a 1-3-1 record with him between the pipes.