The Chicago Blackhawks wasted no time securing the future of their young core this summer. After inking Frank Nazar to a seven-year deal, GM Kyle Davidson has now signed goaltender Spencer Knight to a three-year contract extension worth $5.83 million per season.
The deal begins in 2026–27, after Knight finishes the final year of the contract inherited from Florida. It runs through the 2029–30 season and includes a 15-team no-trade list in the final year.
Why Knight?
Since arriving in Chicago as part of the Seth Jones trade in March 2025, Knight has quickly proven he belongs.
He impressed right out of the gate with a 41-save performance in his Hawks debut, and while his .893 save percentage over 15 starts wasn’t perfect, he also showed flashes of high-end talent.
At just 24 years old, Knight is still developing, but his combination of size, calmness, and athleticism gives the Blackhawks a legitimate No. 1 option for years to come.
Davidson praised him as “a crucial piece of our future” — echoing the same long-view approach the Hawks took with Nazar.
Smart Business or Big Risk?
Locking up players before they’re fully proven always comes with risk. But Chicago is betting that Knight — much like Nazar — will grow into a star and outperform the contract value over time.
If that happens, the Hawks will have locked in two pillars of their rebuild at below-market prices.
The term also reflects some caution: at three years, this is more of a bridge than a max-term deal. It allows Knight to prove himself as a full-time starter while giving Chicago flexibility down the road.
What’s Next?
With Nazar and Knight signed, only one name looms large: Connor Bedard. The franchise cornerstone is eligible for an extension next summer, and his deal will likely be the biggest in team history.
Chicago also has several other key contracts expiring in 2026 — including Kevin Korchinski, Colton Dach, Lukas Reichel, and Drew Commesso. But thanks to smart cap management, Davidson has positioned the Hawks to handle those negotiations with room to maneuver.
For now, the message is clear: the Blackhawks are building around a young, talented core, and Spencer Knight is firmly part of the plan.
Then your Davidson closer:
Kyle Davidson’s work goes beyond Knight. Over the past year he has locked up several important pieces of the Hawks’ future:
- Alex Vlasic — 6 years, $4.6M AAV
- Ryan Donato — 4 years, $4M AAV
- Frank Nazar — 7 years, $6.6M AAV
- Arvid Söderblom — 2 years, $2.75M AAV
- Spencer Knight — 3 years, $5.83M AAV
With Nazar and Knight now secured, the focus will soon shift to Connor Bedard’s massive future extension.
