The Chicago Blackhawks committed to Spencer Knight for three more years following the 2025-26 season when the team signed their projected starter to a three-year, $5.833 million AAV extension before the season.
Knight will now be under contract for four years and then become a UFA in 2029 if another deal isn't struck prior. The Blackhawks acquired him last season in the Seth Jones trade from the Florida Panthers and he started 2/3 of the remaining games. It was a bit of a tougher go behind Chicago's team than the eventual Stanley Cup winners, but he will grow with the young team and continue to get better.
Knight's contract could be seen as far too high of an AAV for what he's done with the Blackhawks or the league, but I see it as a contract that helps far more than it hurts. The three year term is perfect. The Blackhawks will get better over that time, both with new young players coming in, free agent signings, and the top young talent on the team will only get better.
Knight is projected to start for the Blackhawks this season and probably play close to 50 games with Arvid Soderblom taking the remaining starts. Soderblom was signed this offseason as well, but for backup money. Knight's AAV doesn't hurt the team at all as they have over $18 million in cap space. Before some other players have to sign for larger money, contracts will be coming off the board and everything will work out just fine. It is an investment for the future.
General manager Kyle Davidson had this to say on the Knight extension, "after joining the team in March, Spencer quickly cemented himself as a crucial piece of our future. A talented, young goaltender, he brings athleticism, sound positioning, and a calm demeanor to his game, and we're excited to watch Spencer continue to flourish in Chicago over the next four seasons."
Knight is just 24 and was thrust into the NHL at a young age when he wasn't necessarily ready. He has had time to figure things out and I believe that he is now ready for the spotlight. It's not often goalies appear in the NHL at age 19 and as a member of the Panthers, he had a record of 44-25-7 with a 2.76 GAA and .906 SV% with five shutouts. On the Blackhawks, he finished last season with a 5-8-2 record and a 3.18 GAA as well as a .893 SV%, but Chicago was second last in the league with a very young and inexperienced defensive group.
We may not see Knight's numbers rise immediately, but they will improve as the Blackhawks improve.
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