Is Spencer Knight Becoming a Bust?
Panthers goaltender Spencer Knight may not be the future the team has hoped he would be
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Spencer Knight’s NHL Career Thus Far
Drafted 13th overall back in the 2019 NHL Entry draft by previous general manager Dale Tallon, goaltender Spencer Knight was destined to be the future of Florida Panthers goaltending. In his first days as a Panther back in the shortened season, he was electric as he only lost one game that year, a postseason road loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning to send the Cats packing. He joined goaltender Roberto Luongo as the only Panther goalies to record multiple shutouts in their first year the following year.
Because of what they’ve seen from him in college, the World Juniors, and the NHL, they would end up trading their other goaltending prospect in Devon Levi to acquire forward Sam Reinhart. This is a rare case in which a trade benefits both teams overall.
After that stretch, he had flashes of what he was supposed to be, but it seemed he never returned to form. He would end his second season with a goals against average (GAA) of 2.79 and a save percentage (SV%) of .908.
Unfortunately, this past season was rough for the young netminder. He was sent down to the AHL early on in the season and ended his NHL season with a 3.18 GAA and .901 SV%. His season was cut short as he entered into the players assistance program due to struggles from obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). For some players, it’s a terrible fate that they could never recover from.
He was out of the program before the start of this season. However, he was sent down to play with the Charlotte Checkers to start the season. This past offseason, Florida went out and grabbed former Anaheim Duck’s backup goaltender, Anthony Stolarz. He’s gotten a few starts here and there, but he’s been disappointing overall with only four wins in nine starts. He does have a GAA of 2.15, but only a SV% of .915.
Where is Knight Now?
As of now, Knight is still in the AHL for Charlotte. His stats down there are not that bad as he hones a record of 8-4-3 with two shutouts, a .905 SV% and a GAA of 2.54, just a little more than Sergei Bobrovsky’s GAA with Florida at 2.50. And with the poor performance of Stolarz recently, he may get another shot faster than anticipated.
But, with the way he’s been with the big cats, this may be his final chance to show that he was not a wasted selection. In addition, it is unknown if he will get the main reigns as Bobrovsky is expected to hold down that title. Especially considering his $10 million deal that will continue for three more years with the next two being under a modified no-trade clause.
Is Florida’s Knight in Shinning Armor a Bust?
It’s difficult to determine if he is truly a first round bust because of all that he’s faced throughout his short hockey career. In just a few seasons, he seen a general manager change and three different coaches. This is not including the different coaches he went through in a short period between college and world juniors.
But, his statistics in the NHL are not looking very good, and the Panthers may have failed yet another prospect. Granted, at 22 years of age, there is still time to right the ship. However, if they do not turn it around, it’s another failure upon everyone in the front office current and former. This includes the goaltender success team.
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