Spencer Knight to return to Florida Panthers in fall, GM confirms

Spencer Knight turns in a 40-save shutout to blank the Hurricanes

Florida Panthers goaltender Spencer Knight is expected to be back in a Panthers uniform by fall. General manager Bill Zito confirmed the 22-year-old’s return in an interview with the South Florida media on Wednesday.

Zito has been in contact with the goalie “pretty frequently” since Knight left the team in February to enter the NHL and NHLPA’s joint player assistance program. The program made him miss his team’s run to the Stanley Cup Final. However, last week, THN reported that Knight had completed the program.

“He’s doing well and we expect him back in the fold in the fall,” said Zito.

The NHL and NHLPA launched the player assistance program in 1996, providing confidential resources for players and their families to address mental health, substance abuse and other issues. It is still unknown what the reason behind Knight’s participation in the program is.

In Knight’s absence, Alex Lyon filled the space behind veteran goalie Sergei Bobrovsky, especially when the latter got sick at the beginning of the playoffs. Lyon went 6-2-1 with a .930 save percentage late in the season, playing a role in securing the Panthers’ run to the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.

Knight’s run with the Panthers

Knight was picked 13th overall by the Panthers in the 2019 NHL Draft. He had played two seasons for the United States National Development Team prior to the draft and then two seasons for Boston College, where he posted save percentages of .931 and .932, respectively.

After his college season ended in 2020-21, Knight made four appearances for the Panthers, winning all four. He also played in two playoff games for the team.

Before joining the program, the Connecticut-born player was in his second full season in the NHL, sharing responsibilities in the net with Bobrovsky. Once he returns, he will officially enter his third season.

Knight started 19 games and appeared in 21 this past season, going 9-8-3 with a 3.18 goals-against average and a .901 save percentage. He last played for Florida on February 18.

Throughout his career, Knight has played 57 NHL games, with a record of 32-17-6, a GAA of 2.91 and an SV percentage of 0.906.