Blackhawks Lock Up Arvid Soderblom on Two-Year Deal, Avoid Arbitration and Solidify Goalie Depth
The Chicago Blackhawks moved swiftly Saturday morning to secure goaltender Arvid Soderblom with a two-year, $5.5 million contract, avoiding a scheduled arbitration hearing set for Monday. The deal carries a $2.75 million average annual value—well above Evolving Hockey’s projected $1.5 million for a contract of similar length—indicating the team’s growing belief in Soderblom’s potential.
With ample cap space, the Blackhawks opted for stability and upside in their crease as they continue to rebuild. Soderblom, who turns 26 next month, now has two seasons to prove he can be a dependable NHL netminder before becoming an unrestricted free agent at age 28.
After a rocky rookie campaign in 2023–24, Soderblom bounced back in 2024–25. He started strong, posting a .909 save percentage over his first 16 games, and finished the year with a .898 mark through 36 appearances—just under the NHL average of .900.
According to Ben Pope of the Chicago Sun-Times, Soderblom is expected to serve as the backup to Spencer Knight this season. Knight, entering the final year of his $4.5 million deal, will become a restricted free agent next summer. Veteran Laurent Brossoit is also under contract through the end of the season, meaning the Blackhawks could face a crowded and competitive goaltending situation.
This contract not only offers Soderblom financial security but gives him a clear opportunity to solidify a long-term role in Chicago. The team now has just one unsigned player left—defenseman Wyatt Kaiser, who isn’t arbitration-eligible and is projected to receive around $1.5 million per year on a two-year deal.
Soderblom’s NHL path—beginning with his debut on New Year’s Day 2022—has had its ups and downs. Now, with a defined role behind Knight and no arbitration distractions, he has a clean slate heading into the 2025–26 season. For a team focused on rebuilding the right way, locking in a promising, still-developing goaltender is about more than roster management—it’s a long-term investment in the future.
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