Blackhawks lock in Drew Commesso with two-year extension through 2027-28

The Chicago Blackhawks have agreed to terms with goaltender Drew Commesso on a two-year contract extension, a move that keeps the 2020 second-round pick in the organization through the 2027-28 season. The deal follows a decision not to file for salary arbitration, and it gives the Blackhawks additional runway to evaluate Commesso’s next development step at the NHL level or as part of a competitive tandem within the system.

According to the Blackhawks’ official announcement, the contract carries an $875,000 salary cap hit and runs through 2027-28. Yahoo Sports’ report on the agreement added detail on the structure, describing it as a two-way arrangement in the first year, followed by a one-way salary in year two. That kind of bridge is often intended to balance flexibility for the team with a clear path for the player to earn more consistent NHL time.

Commesso, now 23, has spent most of his recent professional career with the Rockford IceHogs in the AHL while also seeing limited action in Chicago. The Blackhawks said he appeared in three NHL games during the 2025-26 season, posting a.918 save percentage, a 2.31 goals-against average and one shutout. The team also cited his 2025-26 AHL production with Rockford, where he recorded a 13-20-3 record, a.901 save percentage, a 3.08 goals-against average and one shutout in 37 games.

The contract announcement included the broader track record that shaped Chicago’s decision. In his AHL career with Rockford, Commesso has appeared in 114 regular-season games, compiling a 49-51-13 record, a.906 save percentage, a 2.75 goals-against average and seven shutouts. The Blackhawks also noted that he has made two trips to the Calder Cup Playoffs with the IceHogs, posting a 5-5-0 record, a.922 save percentage, a 2.42 goals-against average and one shutout in 10 contests.

Internationally, the Blackhawks pointed to Commesso’s experience as well. The team said the Norwell, Massachusetts native represented the United States at the 2022 Winter Olympics, going 2-0-0 with a 1.00 goals-against average, a.964 save percentage and one shutout. The organization also mentioned a bronze medal with Team USA at the 2021 IIHF World Championship, along with his draft pedigree that began with the 46th overall selection in 2020.

For Chicago, the practical impact is roster planning and organizational depth in a position where opportunities can swing based on performance and timing. With Commesso under contract through 2027-28 at a low cap number, the Blackhawks can continue to develop him while managing the competitive pressure that typically defines the No. 2 job. What to watch next is how Chicago divides starts and backup duties between Commesso and the other goaltenders in the system during the coming season and whether he pushes beyond the small-NHL-sample profile that has defined his opportunities so far.