CHICAGO – The Blackhawks, in the process of rebuilding, have placed their hopes in Spencer Knight to become their long-term starting goaltender, after signing a three-year, $17.5 million contract extension on Saturday. Knight, 24, has one year remaining on his current contract, and the extension ensures his stay through the 2029-30 season. The Blackhawks acquired Knight, along with a first-round pick, in a trade that sent Seth Jones and a draft pick to the Florida Panthers in March. Knight was selected by the Panthers in the first round of the 2019 draft and spent his first three and a half seasons in Florida, primarily as a backup to Sergei Bobrovsky. In Chicago, Knight has the opportunity to take on a more significant role with a Blackhawks team that is coming off of finishing in last place in the Central Division for three consecutive seasons and with Jeff Blashill beginning his first season as coach.
“After joining the team in March, Spencer quickly established himself as a crucial piece of our future,” said General Manager Kyle Davidson. “A talented and young goaltender, he brings athleticism, good positioning, and a calm demeanor to his game, and we are excited to see Spencer continue to flourish in Chicago for the next four seasons.”
Kyle DavidsonArvid Söderblom, who had a 10-18-7 record last season, returns for a fifth season in Chicago, while Petr Mrazek was traded to Detroit following the acquisition of Knight. Coming from Connecticut, Knight had a 5-8-2 record in 15 appearances with the Blackhawks and finished the season with a 17-16-3 record. Overall, the 6-foot-3-inch, 191-pound player, a graduate of Boston College, has a 49-33-9 record with five shutouts.
