EDMONTON, Alberta — Blackhawks goaltender Arvid Söderblom entered this season with a different trajectory in his career and an immediate need to change.
His first start of the season against the Jets on Friday was an encouraging sign that he can be successful.
His final stat line wasn’t as amazing as it would have been if he got his first career shutout, but he still made 33 of 35 shots despite getting the shutout within two minutes of getting it. He made saves and was probably the Hawks’ best player. In the game. His .943 save percentage is tied for sixth in 45 career starts.
“He played unreal,” Seth Jones said. “(He) was on his hands all night making big saves. (The Jets) were at the net a lot…and everything was hitting him. It was great to see.”
The 25-year-old Swedish goalie looks like a completely different player from last season, when his .879 save percentage in 32 games ranked second-to-bottom in the NHL and last season with a GSAA minus-23.0. Ta.
On Friday, his rebound control — a much-discussed weakness last season — looked improved, although it wasn’t perfect. On the other hand, his positioning and lateral movement (a less-discussed weakness that probably cost him even more last season) were impeccable.
He used his size, one of the advantages he always had, to hit nearly every shot the Jets had. Even when he coughed up rebounds, he moved quickly to hit follow-up attempts, making them less dangerous.
Soderblom started Friday because the Hawks wanted Petr Mrazek to play against the Oilers on Saturday, and newly signed backup Laurent Brossoit was still recovering from late-summer meniscus surgery. This is because it is inside. The NHL clock is ticking for Soderblom as Brossoit is expected to return soon. He will have to continue rebuilding his career in the AHL.
Nevertheless, he sent a clear message to Hawks management not to give up on his future just yet.
AHL Spotlight
When Soderblom, whose season began Saturday against Grand Rapids, arrives in Rockford, he will join an AHL roster full of NHL-related prospects, including partner goaltender Drew Commesso.
In addition to Kevin Korchinski and Frank Nazar, who should be two of the most talented (and highly scrutinized) players in all of the minor leagues this fall, the IceHogs also have Colton Dach and Landon Slaggert. , Paul Radwinski, Samuel Savoie, and Gavin Hayes. And the last three on that list are getting their first taste of professional hockey.
Defensively, Ethan Del Mastro headlines Rockford’s group for now, but once Artyom Levshunov returns from injury in the next few weeks, he will become the centerpiece of the entire roster. . He would surpass even Korchinsky and Nazar in both talent and scrutiny.
“There’s going to be a lot of intrigue there,” general manager Kyle Davidson said. “But with that youthful enthusiasm, I think they can make a pretty good team.”
This and that
Wyatt Kiser returned to the Hawks’ lineup on Friday, meaning he ultimately missed one regular-season game due to a health scare during training camp. He recorded an ice time of 15 minutes, 01 seconds.
The first matchup between Connor Bedard and 2024 No. 1 overall pick Macklin Celebrini will have to wait. The Sharks placed Celebrini, who scored in his NHL debut this week, on injured reserve, so he will miss Thursday’s home opener against the Hawks. The Hawks will visit San Jose on Halloween.
