The Chicago Blackhawks acted quickly on Saturday morning, signing Swedish goaltender Arvid Soderblom to a two-year, $5.5 million contract and avoiding an arbitration hearing that was set for Monday. The deal, which carries a $2.75 million annual cap hit, came in significantly higher than Evolving Hockey’s projection of $1.5 million for a similar term. For a team with abundant cap space, this move signals confidence in Soderblom’s upside and provides insurance as the Blackhawks enter a pivotal phase in their rebuild.
What Arvid Soderblom’s new contract means for the Chicago Blackhawks’ goaltending depth and rebuild
Arvid Soderblom, who turns 26 next month, now has two seasons to prove he can be a reliable NHL goaltender before he hits unrestricted free agency at 28. Last season was a step forward after his difficult rookie year in 2023-24. He started strong in 2024-25, posting a .909 save percentage through his first 16 games, but finished at .898 across 36 appearances—just shy of the league average of .900.
Ben Pope of the Chicago Sun-Times reported, “Soderblom will most likely be the backup to Spencer Knight this season,” highlighting the internal competition in net. Knight enters the final year of his deal, carrying a $4.5 million cap hit before becoming a restricted free agent next summer. Meanwhile, veteran Laurent Broissoit also remains under contract for one more year. If he’s healthy, the Blackhawks could face tough decisions about how to manage their goaltending trio.
Saturday’s signing avoided a potentially contentious arbitration hearing, which was scheduled to take place in two days. For both sides, the timing is significant. Chicago locks in a cost-controlled goaltender at a higher-than-expected rate, while Soderblom secures financial stability and an opportunity to prove his long-term value without the distractions of arbitration.
What’s next for the Chicago Blackhawks after Arvid Soderblom’s two-year deal?
With Arvid Soderblom signed, the Chicago Blackhawks have just one unsigned player remaining—defenseman Wyatt Kaiser , who wasn’t eligible for arbitration. Evolving Hockey projects Kaiser’s next deal at roughly $1.5 million annually on a two-year term.
For Soderblom, this deal provides a crucial window to show that his resurgence last season wasn’t a fluke. If he can build on his early 2024-25 success and deliver consistent performances, the Blackhawks could view him as a key piece of their goaltending future.
From his NHL debut on January 1, 2022, against Nashville, to rebounding from early struggles, Soderblom’s journey has been anything but linear. Now, with a two-year contract and a clear role behind Spencer Knight, the Swede enters the 2025-26 season with a chance to cement his place in Chicago’s plans. For a rebuilding Blackhawks team, this isn’t just about filling a roster spot—it’s about finding the right pieces for the future.
Also Read: Matthew Kessel gets engaged to his girlfriend while eyeing a bigger NHL role with the St. Louis Blues
What Arvid Soderblom’s new contract means for the Chicago Blackhawks’ goaltending depth and rebuild
Arvid Soderblom, who turns 26 next month, now has two seasons to prove he can be a reliable NHL goaltender before he hits unrestricted free agency at 28. Last season was a step forward after his difficult rookie year in 2023-24. He started strong in 2024-25, posting a .909 save percentage through his first 16 games, but finished at .898 across 36 appearances—just shy of the league average of .900.
Ben Pope of the Chicago Sun-Times reported, “Soderblom will most likely be the backup to Spencer Knight this season,” highlighting the internal competition in net. Knight enters the final year of his deal, carrying a $4.5 million cap hit before becoming a restricted free agent next summer. Meanwhile, veteran Laurent Broissoit also remains under contract for one more year. If he’s healthy, the Blackhawks could face tough decisions about how to manage their goaltending trio.
The Chicago Blackhawks have re-signed goalie Arvid Soderblom to a 2-year contract extension, worth $5.5 million. Soderblom,25,played 36 games,with 33 starts & was 10-18-7,with a .898 save percentage,& a 3.18 goals-against average in 2024-2025.#ChicagoBlackhawks #ArvidSoderblom pic.twitter.com/BXDt0YU3g4
— Poeskie's Sports News Alert (@PoeskieA) July 26, 2025
Saturday’s signing avoided a potentially contentious arbitration hearing, which was scheduled to take place in two days. For both sides, the timing is significant. Chicago locks in a cost-controlled goaltender at a higher-than-expected rate, while Soderblom secures financial stability and an opportunity to prove his long-term value without the distractions of arbitration.
What’s next for the Chicago Blackhawks after Arvid Soderblom’s two-year deal?
With Arvid Soderblom signed, the Chicago Blackhawks have just one unsigned player remaining—defenseman Wyatt Kaiser , who wasn’t eligible for arbitration. Evolving Hockey projects Kaiser’s next deal at roughly $1.5 million annually on a two-year term.
For Soderblom, this deal provides a crucial window to show that his resurgence last season wasn’t a fluke. If he can build on his early 2024-25 success and deliver consistent performances, the Blackhawks could view him as a key piece of their goaltending future.
From his NHL debut on January 1, 2022, against Nashville, to rebounding from early struggles, Soderblom’s journey has been anything but linear. Now, with a two-year contract and a clear role behind Spencer Knight, the Swede enters the 2025-26 season with a chance to cement his place in Chicago’s plans. For a rebuilding Blackhawks team, this isn’t just about filling a roster spot—it’s about finding the right pieces for the future.
Also Read: Matthew Kessel gets engaged to his girlfriend while eyeing a bigger NHL role with the St. Louis Blues
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