Blackhawks goaltender making strong case to make Olympic team
Photo credit: NHL.com
Chicago Blackhawks goaltender Spencer Knight, playing in his 1st full year with the Blackhawks, is turning heads and making a case to play in the Olympics.
One of the main keys for the early season success of the Chicago Blackhawks has been the play of goaltender Spencer Knight, who they acquired last year from the Florida Panthers in the Seth Jones trade.
They extended him for three seasons, and so far he's paying off for them with an impressive 5-3-2 record and a .919 SV%, which is fourth overall among all NHL goalies.
Per analyst Isaac Nielsen, Knight could even get consideration to play for the American roster at an Olympic Winter Games tournament later in his career, perhaps in 2030. He names fellow American goaltenders Jeremy Swayman and Thatcher Demko as his competition, and believes Knight could have the inside edge.
For starters, Team USA will be considering its 2030 roster, and Knight is in perfect position to contribute heavily down the line. He'll only be 24 for the Olympics, while Swayman will be 27 and Demko will be 30. Wouldn't they want to give the youngest player as much experience on the international stage as possible?
If we only take into account the fact that Knight has outperformed the other goalies in consideration for the job this year, he has a decent shot at making the roster. But when you factor in his age and future viability with the program, it should be a no-brainer - or at least something worth considering.
If we only take into account the fact that Knight has outperformed the other goalies in consideration for the job this year, he has a decent shot at making the roster. But when you factor in his age and future viability with the program, it should be a no-brainer - or at least something worth considering.
Spencer Knight Is Paying Off For The Blackhawks
As mentioned, Knight's .919 SV% is the fourth best among all NHL goaltenders, showing that GM Kyle Davidson was right to extend him for another three years.
If Knight can keep up this performance, his modest AAV (average annual value) of $5,833,333 could look like a complete bargain in the near future.
Previously on Hawks Insider
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