- Spencer Knight says the Blackhawks “should be pissed off” at themselves after Arvid Soderblom was waived
- Soderblom cleared waivers and was assigned to Rockford on Monday
- Read below for Knight’s full comments and where the Blackhawks stand in net
Spencer Knight is not happy about the way the Blackhawks handled Arvid Söderblom.
Knight was asked Monday about his goalie partner being placed on waivers after Saturday’s 9-2 loss in Carolina. He pointed the finger at the room, not at Söderblom, in comments to Chicago Tribune reporter Kalen Lumpkins and other reporters:
“I look at myself and the people in this room, (we) should be pissed off at ourselves for letting us allow that to happen,” Knight said. “I think we put him in pretty shitty spots, to be honest with you.”
Knight allowed six goals to the Hurricanes before Söderblom came in to relieve him. Chicago placed Söderblom on waivers Sunday afternoon and recalled Drew Commesso from Rockford to take the backup job.
Knight said he feels for the 27-year-old Swede, who started at least 26 games for Chicago in each of the last three seasons. He talked about how it hits when a teammate gets cut loose, especially a fellow goalie.
“When suddenly that happens to your teammate, especially as a goalie partner, I don’t feel good about it,” Knight said. He added that he wishes he could be there for Söderblom, and that the team let him down at times.
Nobody claimed Söderblom. The Blackhawks announced Monday that he was assigned to the Rockford IceHogs:
Söderblom went 0-3-1 with a .842 save percentage and 4.67 goals against average in five appearances this season. Those numbers are ugly, but Chicago sits 30th in the league in expected goals against at 5-on-5 (3.13 per 60), so the defense in front of both goalies has been a problem all year.
Knight hasn’t been great either. He’s at .881 after posting a .902 in 55 starts last year, and the Blackhawks are 4-13-1 and last in the Central Division.
The waiver move is the first roster change since the loss. The team is sticking with Jeff Blashill, Connor Bedard says there is frustration all the time, and Chicago is dangling five 2027 picks in its trade search.
