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NHL issues surprising statement on Chicago Blackhawks goaltender Spencer Knight
Photo credit: ESPN
Blackhawks goalie Spencer Knight, who was acquired in a trade this year with the Florida Panthers, is being described as one of the best young goalies in the NHL, something that will excite Chicago fans.
The Blackhawks made a switch with their goaltending this year, not only trading Petr Mrazek to the former divisional foe Detroit Red Wings but also acquiring Spencer Knight from the Florida Panthers.
Knight wasn't going to get much playing time behind starter Sergei Bobrovsky in Florida, and now gets the chance to seize the starting job in Chicago.
Per Kevin Woodley of NHL.com, Knight is one of the best young goalies in the NHL and comes in at 2nd overall on his list behind only Dustin Wolf of the Calgary Flames, who was a nominee for the Calder Trophy as the NHL's best rookie this year.
If it feels like Knight has been around too long to be on this list, that's because the 24-year-old went straight to the NHL with the Florida Panthers after they made him the first goalie picked in the 2019 NHL Draft (No. 13). Traded to the Chicago Blackhawks with a first-round pick in the 2026 NHL Draft for defenseman Seth Jones and a fourth-round pick in 2026 on March 1, 2025, Knight leads this list in NHL experience (95 games) and wins (49) despite missing the 2023-24 season after entering the NHL/NHLPA Player Assistance Program. He has a 2.83 GAA, .904 save percentage and five shutouts through 95 games over four NHL seasons, and his combination of size (6-3, 191), a strong technical foundation and a cerebral approach points to more future success.
Knight, who was taken 13th overall by the Panthers in the 2019 NHL Entry Draft, was acquired as part of the deal that sent defenseman Seth Jones to Florida in March.
After coming to Chicago, Knight went 5-8-2 with a 3.12 GAA and .904 SV%. He only has a year left on his deal with an AAV (average annual value) of $4.5 million.
Previously on Chicago Hockey Insider
| POLL | ||
JUILLET 19 | 871 ANSWERS NHL issues surprising statement on Chicago Blackhawks goaltender Spencer Knight Will Spencer Knight start at least 45 games for the Blackhawks this year? | ||
| Yes | 681 | 78.2 % |
| No | 190 | 21.8 % |
| List of polls | ||
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