The Chicago Blackhawks may be sitting 10 points out of a playoff spot, but don’t let the standings fool you - this is a team quietly laying the foundation for something bigger. The rebuild is in full swing, and the pipeline is loaded with high-end prospects, several of whom are knocking on the NHL’s door. There’s a sense of direction here, and it’s starting to show.
One area where that progress is especially clear? Between the pipes.
Spencer Knight has brought a level of stability to the Blackhawks’ crease that the franchise hasn’t seen in a while. After a rocky stint in Florida that had some questioning his long-term ceiling, Knight has found his footing in Chicago and is looking more and more like the No. 1 goalie they can build around. That’s a major win for a team in transition - a steady presence in net can do wonders for a young, developing roster.
But Knight’s resurgence raises a fascinating question: what happens next with Drew Commesso?
Commesso, the Blackhawks’ second-round pick in 2020, has long been viewed as one of the organization’s top goaltending prospects. He’s got the tools - size, athleticism, poise - and he’s been progressing well in the AHL.
But with Knight now firmly in control of the starting role, there’s no rush to push Commesso into NHL action. In fact, keeping him in the minors might be the smartest move for now.
Here’s why: Knight’s presence means there’s no immediate need for Commesso to step in and soak up starts. Arvid Soderblom, serving as Knight’s current backup, is holding down the fort just fine in that role. That gives the Blackhawks the luxury of patience - something not every team rebuilding from the ground up can afford.
For Commesso, this is a chance to continue refining his game without the pressure of jumping into a crowded crease. More starts in the AHL means more reps, more development, and more time to become NHL-ready on his own timeline.
But let’s fast forward a bit. What if Commesso keeps trending upward and simply becomes too good for the AHL? That’s when things get interesting.
If Commesso forces the issue - and all signs suggest he might - the Blackhawks could find themselves with a high-quality problem: three goalies, two NHL spots. In that scenario, Soderblom could be the odd man out. Whether he heads back to the AHL or becomes a trade chip for a goalie-needy team, Chicago would have options.
And if Commesso does make the jump, a tandem of Knight and Commesso could give the Blackhawks one of the most promising young goalie duos in the league. Think about it: a 1A/1B setup where Knight handles around 50 games and Commesso gets the rest. That kind of workload split not only keeps both goalies fresh but also gives the team a reliable presence in net every night.
That setup could become even more valuable next season, when the NHL expands the regular season to 84 games. Two extra games might not sound like much, but over the grind of a full season, it adds up.
Teams will need depth at every position - and that includes goalies. Having two NHL-ready netminders won’t just be a luxury; it’ll be a necessity.
Right now, the Blackhawks are in a solid spot with Knight and Soderblom. But keep an eye on Commesso. If he finishes this season strong and carries that momentum into training camp, he could make a serious push for an NHL job next fall.
The rebuild is still in progress, but in goal, Chicago might already be ahead of schedule.