G Spencer Knight (2019, 13th, FLA)

[Ryan Van Horne]

Gives up a goal on his very first shot due to defensive break down but then stone walls the lightning the rest of the game.

I know its just one game and that I was hesitant in the past to throw him right into the NHL but man the kid is impressive. He has everything you want in a #1 goalie. Askarov has gotten way more hype than this kid.

First of all, Askarov deserves the hype. He's an excellent goalie with a great track record in international play and in the KHL as a young goalie.

That said, I think one reason that Knight doesn't get as much hype as Askarov is his style of play. Knight prides himself on positional play while Askarov is known for having Gumby-like flexibility and making incredible saves.

Knight doesn't just let pucks hit him, he has great hockey sense, puck-tracking, and athleticism that allow him to be in the right position to make a high-percentage save. He has the athleticism to make a highlight-reel save, but in an interview with Fluto Shinzawa of The Athletic, he has said that if he has to do that, he has more than likely made a mistake leading up to it.

“I can make some sprawling saves,” Knight said. “But you’re not going to be able to do that on a consistent basis. You’re not going to be able to rely just on luck. When you find ways that are consistent and are proven that they work more often, you feel more comfortable.”

Here's another snippet from the same interview.

 

[mphmiles]

Kid has some Lundqvist in him in that he seems almost weirdly thoughtful and charismatic for a goalie. (Also a total missile)

 

[hotcabbagesoup]

First of all, Askarov deserves the hype. He's an excellent goalie with a great track record in international play and in the KHL as a young goalie.

That said, I think one reason that Knight doesn't get as much hype as Askarov is his style of play. Knight prides himself on positional play while Askarov is known for having Gumby-like flexibility and making incredible saves.

Knight doesn't just let pucks hit him, he has great hockey sense, puck-tracking, and athleticism that allow him to be in the right position to make a high-percentage save. He has the athleticism to make a highlight-reel save, but in an interview with Fluto Shinzawa of The Athletic, he has said that if he has to do that, he has more than likely made a mistake leading up to it.

“I can make some sprawling saves,” Knight said. “But you’re not going to be able to do that on a consistent basis. You’re not going to be able to rely just on luck. When you find ways that are consistent and are proven that they work more often, you feel more comfortable.”

Here's another snippet from the same interview.
View attachment 439234

Interesting that you posted this because from my viewing of him it looks like he really makes an effort to absorb the shot and not give up rebounds. Maybe that's his strategy and if so, I wonder if the Lightning picked up on it too in video study and start shooting low on his pads next game to try to get rebound chances.

 

[VoluntaryDom]

Oh man, as a Tampa fan I'm impressed by this guy. Panthers got a good'n, as volatile as goaltending is he should be able to join the Hellebuyck/Vasilevskiy/Gibson group imo.

 

[BB88]

Future has never looked as bright for Florida

 

[MichaelFarrell]

Future has never looked as bright for Florida

The problem is Bob is making 10mil a year until 2026.

 

[BB88]

The problem is Bob is making 10mil a year until 2026.

It doesn’t change the view of their future.

Barkov 25y
Huberdeau 27y
Weegar 27y
Ekblad 25y
Verhaeghe 25y
Bennett 24y
Knight 20y
Lundell 19y

 

[Riseonfire]

It doesn’t change the view of their future.

Barkov 25y
Huberdeau 27y
Weegar 27y
Ekblad 25y
Verhaeghe 25y
Bennett 24y
Knight 20y
Lundell 19y

It will when they need to sign those young stars...

 

[FinlandPanther]

It will when they need to sign those young stars...

Zito will figure it out. He got rid of Matheson and while this is a TALL task, he will make it work.

 

[Vasilevskiy]

Looks poised and has all the tools to be a top 10 goalie for a long time. Great prospect

 

[BB88]

It will when they need to sign those young stars...

He won’t be there by then

 

[De Montreal]

When does he takes the rein as the starting goalie in Florida? I know Bobrovsky came back strong to start the season but he had a save percentage under 90% in 5 of his last 6 games, also allowed 4 goals in half of these game. Seems to me like they should give more work to Spencer Knight.

 

[SirSamofHouseBennett]

When does he takes the rein as the starting goalie in Florida? I know Bobrovsky came back strong to start the season but he had a save percentage under 90% in 5 of his last 6 games, also allowed 4 goals in half of these game. Seems to me like they should give more work to Spencer Knight.

Pretty sure Knight has been leaky his last few games. However he is young and will get his stride in no time. He had a ridiculous undefeated streak that was never going to be sustained.

 

[Dread Clawz]

When does he takes the rein as the starting goalie in Florida? I know Bobrovsky came back strong to start the season but he had a save percentage under 90% in 5 of his last 6 games, also allowed 4 goals in half of these game. Seems to me like they should give more work to Spencer Knight.

Those 6 games coincided with Florida losing Barkov to injury, and now Duclair and Forsling. Florida is still getting by now, but they are not playing as well defensively and are giving up more goals. Knight has been a victim of this as well. Bob is still the team MVP to date. Spencer is doing well for a 20 year old goalie, but he's not ready to take the reigns yet. All that talk is premature.

 

[PAZ]

When does he takes the rein as the starting goalie in Florida? I know Bobrovsky came back strong to start the season but he had a save percentage under 90% in 5 of his last 6 games, also allowed 4 goals in half of these game. Seems to me like they should give more work to Spencer Knight.

Don't expect Knight to be the starting goaltender anytime soon, especially since Knight has had quite a few subpar games recently as well. At best it'll be a 60/40 split between Bob/Knight this year. Depending on how this year goes, it'll prob go down to 55/45 next year, then maybe in his 3rd year he'll get a chance to take over the Florida net. Even Price and Vasilvesky weren't starting yet.

 

[De Montreal]

Thanks for the insights!

 

[De Montreal]

Got his first NHL shootout yesterday

Spencer Knight last 8 games :

5-2-1
93,4 SV PCT
1,88 GAA

 

[Hockeyville USA]

Need a status update on Knight: when will he make it back to the league? Just meh in the A statistically, though I know it'll take him awhile to be back to 100% after everything he's been through.

 

[Ryan Van Horne]

Need a status update on Knight: when will he make it back to the league? Just meh in the A statistically, though I know it'll take him awhile to be back to 100% after everything he's been through.

I wouldn't expect Knight back in the NHL this season unless Bobrovsky gets injured. He is right where he belongs right now and that is getting seasoning in the AHL. As long as Bobrovsky is making big coin and delivering decent goaltending, Knight should be getting No. 1 minutes in the AHL. If he starts playing lights out in the AHL, he might force a promotion, but until at least one of these conditions is met,don't expect a return.

 

[Hinterland]

I wouldn't expect Knight back in the NHL this season unless Bobrovsky gets injured. He is right where he belongs right now and that is getting seasoning in the AHL. As long as Bobrovsky is making big coin and delivering decent goaltending, Knight should be getting No. 1 minutes in the AHL. If he starts playing lights out in the AHL, he might force a promotion, but until at least one of these conditions is met,don't expect a return.

That's not the reason. It's waiver eligibility. If Knight plays in 21 NHL games then he's no longer waiver exempt. That's why it makes no sense for Florida to promote Knight for as long as they're getting somewhat acceptable goaltending from elsewhere. They'd be losing roster flexibility. They'd no longer be able to send Knight down, could no longer carry 2 other NHL goalies.

 

[Ryan Van Horne]

That's not the reason. It's waiver eligibility. If Knight plays in 21 NHL games then he's no longer waiver eligible. That's why it makes no sense for Florida to promote Knight for as long as they're getting somewhat acceptable goaltending from elsewhere. They'd be losing roster flexibility. They'd no longer be able to send Knight down, could no longer carry 2 other NHL goalies.

What's not the reason for what? And do you mean "waiver exempt" -- as in they can't send him back down to the minors without putting him on waivers?

 

[Hinterland]

What's not the reason for what? And do you mean "waiver exempt" -- as in they can't send him back down to the minors without putting him on waivers?

My bad. Exempt is what I meant.

 

[Hockeyville USA]

0.899 SV% in the A. Not great

 

[Hinterland]

0.899 SV% in the A. Not great

Don't think Charlotte is particularly easy to play behind. Also, he's getting the W's which is what matters in the end.
Furthermore, he has very little left to prove. It's just about getting back to the level he once had. He'll have one more year in the minors in case he needs it. Just give him time to overcome what he went through.

 

[Skinnyjimmy08]

Wow I completely forgot about Spencer Knight... Obviously I knew he went thru some personal stuff a while back but I literally haven't heard a peep about him and totally forgot he even existed pretty much lol... hopefully things can get rolling for him at the NHL level again