CHICAGO — Spencer Knight wasted no time settling in with the Chicago Blackhawks. Set to start in goal against the Los Angeles Kings on Monday night, Knight prepared to play his first game with the Blackhawks after a recent trade from the Florida Panthers on Saturday.
Hailing from Connecticut, Knight celebrates his 24th birthday on April 19. He expressed surprise at the trade but was eager to embrace the opportunity, now in the second year of a three-year contract extension he confirmed in 2022.
“Change is part of this business, and I’m ready to embrace it,” Knight commented before the game with the Kings. “I feel fortunate to join a storied organization with a group of outstanding individuals—everyone from my teammates to the front office staff.”
As part of the transaction, Chicago sent defenseman Seth Jones and a 2026 fourth-round draft pick to Florida in exchange for Knight and a conditional first-round pick for the next year’s draft. In the deal, the Blackhawks also retained 26% of Jones’ salary, amounting to approximately $2.5 million annually.
Eager to get into the action, Knight made his desire to start right away clear. “I just want to hit the ice and play,” he said, sporting a smile.
Chosen 13th overall by Florida in the 2019 draft from Boston College, Knight posted a record of 44-25-7 in his time with the Panthers, maintaining a goals-against average of 2.76 and a .906 save percentage over 80 games.
Moving from backing up the accomplished Sergei Bobrovsky with the reigning Stanley Cup champs, Knight now joins the Blackhawks, currently one of the league’s struggling teams.
“My aim is to keep bringing a positive approach, work hard, and contribute to winning hockey games,” Knight shared about his outlook. “I’ve been a part of winning teams and want to bring that success to this organization for as long as I’m here.”
While at Florida, Knight had the opportunity to learn from Bobrovsky, a revered two-time Vezina Trophy recipient. “His work ethic is well-known, but he’s also adept at pacing himself, which is crucial for consistent performance,” Knight observed.
With Knight’s arrival, Chicago now has three goaltenders on their active roster, alongside Petr Mrazek, 33, and Arvid Soderblom, 25. The team signed Laurent Brossoit to a two-year deal, though he’s sidelined for the season due to a knee injury.
Mrazek is under contract until the 2025-26 season with a $4.25 million cap hit, while Soderblom has shown improvement this season. With the NHL trade deadline approaching, managing three goaltenders may present logistical challenges moving forward.
Interim coach Anders Sorensen emphasized the importance of clear communication and ensuring fair practice time. “Game time is what everyone craves, so balancing that is crucial. We will approach this one day at a time,” stated Sorensen.
