Chicago Blackhawks goalie Laurent Brossoit had high hopes for the upcoming NHL season. After signing a two-year contract with the team in July, he was excited to prove himself as a No. 1 goalie. However, his offseason took an unexpected turn when he underwent meniscus surgery on his right knee at Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago.
The Blackhawks announced on Wednesday that Brossoit would need five to seven weeks to recover from the surgery. This means he will likely miss most of training camp but could potentially return just before the season or early into it. The Blackhawks’ first game is scheduled for October 8 against the Utah Hockey Club.
Brossoit’s injury is a setback for the Blackhawks, who had high hopes for the 31-year-old goalie. Last season, he had an impressive record of 15-5-2 with a .927 save percentage in 23 games with the Winnipeg Jets. Despite his success as a backup goalie with the Jets and the Vegas Golden Knights in recent seasons, Brossoit hopes to prove that he is capable of even more with the Blackhawks.
The Blackhawks signed Brossoit to a two-year contract with a $3.3 million cap hit, indicating their confidence in his abilities. Brossoit saw the opportunity with the Blackhawks as a chance to establish himself as a stabilizing force in the goaltending position.
In Brossoit’s absence, Arvid Söderblom is expected to fill in as the team’s goalie. Söderblom played for the Blackhawks throughout last season but struggled with inconsistent play, leading the team to sign Brossoit and Petr Mrázek this offseason. Söderblom had a record of 5-22-2 with a .880 save percentage in 32 games last season.
While Brossoit’s injury is undoubtedly a setback, it presents an opportunity for Söderblom to prove himself and potentially secure a more prominent role in the team. It will be interesting to see how the Blackhawks manage their goaltending situation in Brossoit’s absence and how he performs once he returns to the ice.
Overall, Brossoit’s injury may delay his quest to become a No. 1 goalie for the Blackhawks, but it also provides an opportunity for other players to step up and showcase their abilities. The team will have to navigate this challenge during training camp and the early part of the season, but they remain hopeful that Brossoit will recover quickly and make a significant impact once he returns.