‘We should be p—ed off:’ Blackhawks’ Spencer Knight reacts to Arvid Soderblom’s waiving
The Chicago Blackhawks have been one of the biggest disappointments in the NHL this season, as they went from hoping to break through as a Stanley Cup Playoff team to remaining in the doldrums of the league with a 4-13-1 record that has them comfortably in last place in the Central Division.
The Blackhawks bottomed out with a 9-2 loss on Saturday night at the hands of the reigning Stanley Cup champion Carolina Hurricanes, and while many expected a massive shakeup move like a potential coaching change or blockbuster trade to ensue, the Blackhawks instead waived backup goaltender Arvid Soderblom to replace him with Drew Commesso.
For starting goalie Spencer Knight, who allowed six goals to the Hurricanes before he was relieved by Soderblom, the move is not sitting well.
“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 told reporters, including Kalen Lumpkins of The Chicago Tribune, on Monday. “I think we put him in pretty shitty spots, to be honest with you.”
Soderblom made five appearances for Chicago, four starts and the relief appearance against Carolina, posting a .842 save percentage and 4.67 goals against average to go with an 0-3-1 record. The 27-year-old Swede started at least 26 games for the Blackhawks in each of the three seasons before this one, posting save percentages of .880, .898 and .880.
“I’m sure there’s times where he wants to perform and play better, but I think he’s played really well for us for a long stretch of time, and I think there are times that we fucked him over as a team,” Knight continued. “I wish I could be there for him. When suddenly that happens to your teammate, especially as a goalie partner, I don’t feel good about it.”
Knight and Soderblom have been tending the goal in front of a difficult environment. Chicago has struggled mightily on defense; their 3.13 expected goals against per 60 minutes at 5-on-5 put them 30th in the NHL.
Knight’s numbers to this point in the season, while not as glaringly poor as Soderblom’s, check in below his career standard. After putting up a .902 SV% in 55 starts last year, the Connecticut native is down to a .881 this season.
