The Chicago Blackhawks have made a strategic move by sending goaltender Drew Commesso back to AHL Rockford. This decision comes after Commesso was called up under emergency conditions when Spencer Knight was sidelined with an illness. With Knight now cleared to return, he’ll be back in action for tomorrow’s road game against the Mammoth.
Commesso, now in his second NHL season at just 23 years old, has shown significant improvement. In his three starts for the Blackhawks this year, he's posted a solid .918 save percentage and a 2.31 goals-against average, along with a 2-1-0 record.
This is a notable leap from his debut last year, where he allowed four goals on 24 shots against the Devils. His recent performance, including a win over Utah, highlights his development, saving 1.6 goals above expected.
Analytically, he’s been the strongest goalie for Chicago this season on a per-60 basis with a 0.528 GSAx/60, according to MoneyPuck.
Drafted in 2020, Commesso continues to be a key prospect for the Blackhawks, ranking as their top goalie prospect and seventh overall in their pool. While his NHL outings have been promising, his current season in Rockford has been challenging.
With a .899 save percentage and a 3.07 goals-against average over 28 games, his record stands at 9-16-3. However, these stats are not entirely on him, as Rockford has faced defensive struggles.
Despite this, his numbers still surpass those of backup Stanislav Berezhnoy.
Commesso’s journey reflects the ups and downs of a young goaltender finding his footing in professional hockey. His potential remains evident, and the Blackhawks will be keenly watching his continued development.