It was a big day for the Chicago Blackhawks’ future. Off the ice, general manager Kyle Davidson secured the goaltending position by signing Spencer Knight to a three-year, $17.5 million extension that begins in 2026-27.
On the ice, the Blackhawks’ prospects earned a hard-fought 3–2 overtime victory over the St. Louis Blues prospects at the Tom Kurvers Prospect Showcase in St. Paul.
Knight’s New Deal
Knight, 24, was the 13th overall pick in 2019 by the Florida Panthers and arrived in Chicago last season as part of the Seth Jones trade.
His extension carries a $5.83M AAV and runs through 2028-29, when he will become an unrestricted free agent.
For the Blackhawks, this is a smart bet. If Knight develops into the reliable starter he was projected to be coming out of the U.S. National Team Development Program, this deal could become another home run for Davidson.
With Frank Nazar already signed, and Knight now secured, the only piece missing for a GM “hat trick” is a long-term deal for Connor Bedard.
Game Highlights: Blackhawks Edge Blues in OT
The Blues struck first just 1:18 into the opening period after a miscue in the Blackhawks’ zone.
Chicago responded in the second when Sam Rinzel set up Taige Harding with a sharp cross-ice feed to tie the game.
Moments later, Ryan Mast ripped a shot off a faceoff scramble that found the back of the net, giving the Hawks a 2–1 lead.
That advantage held until midway through the third, when St. Louis capitalized on a turnover to even the score at 2–2.
In overtime, it was Oliver Moore who played the hero, scoring just 24 seconds in after a slick setup from Nick Lardis. The Hawks skated away with a 3–2 OT win in their showcase opener.
Three Big Takeaways
1) Sam Rinzel is taking command
Rinzel looked like the most complete player on the ice. The 25th overall pick in 2022 by Chicago showcased his poise, confidence, and vision.
He logged heavy minutes, controlled the transition game, and set up Harding’s goal with a perfect pass.
At 6’4”, he uses his size well and combines it with smooth skating and smart decision-making.
Coming off a standout year at Minnesota (32 points in 40 games, Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year), Rinzel looks like he’s knocking on the NHL’s door.
2) Berezhnoy makes his mark in first Hawks appearance
Stanislav Berezhnoy, 22, made an immediate impression. The undrafted Russian goaltender, signed to a two-year entry-level contract in July, stopped 31 of 33 shots and looked calm under pressure.
At 6’4”, 218 pounds, Berezhnoy used his frame well, tracking pucks through traffic and controlling rebounds.
He spent last season in Russia’s VHL, posting a strong .928 save percentage, and now appears ready to compete for a role in Rockford’s goalie rotation.
For his first North American showcase, this was a steady, confident debut.
3) Forwards and depth impact: Moore line plus Behm, Spellacy, Levshunov
The Moore–Lardis–Vanacker line was the most dangerous trio on the ice. Moore’s blazing speed consistently opened lanes, Lardis kept finding ways to create offense, and Vanacker worked the boards to keep plays alive.
Their chemistry was rewarded when Moore buried the overtime winner off Lardis’ setup.
Beyond that top line, other prospects showed encouraging signs.
Behm had a good first game against prospect competition, making smart plays and showing he could keep pace. A.J. Spellacy did exactly what he’s known for — playing hard on the forecheck, finishing checks, and working tirelessly without the puck.
Artyom Levshunov had some ups and downs, with a few mistakes mixed in, but overall delivered a solid game. Patience is the key with him; his raw tools are undeniable, and continued development will smooth out the rough edges.
Blackhawks lineup vs. Blues
Forwards
- Thompson – Greene – Pridham
- Vanacker – Moore – Lardis
- Behm – Spellacy – Misiak
- Holmes – Gagnier – Israels
Defense
- Harding – Rinzel
- Kuzmin – Levshunov
- Cumby – Mast
Goalies
- Berezhnoy
- Flores
What’s Next
The Blackhawks prospects return to action Sunday, Sept. 14 at 3:00 PM CT, when they face the Minnesota Wild prospects at TRIA Rink in St. Paul.
The game will be streamed live on the Blackhawks’ official website.
Final Thought
The Knight extension gave the Hawks stability in goal, but the showcase game gave a snapshot of where the pipeline stands.
From Rinzel’s confidence and Berezhnoy’s steady debut to Moore’s speed and the depth efforts of Behm, Spellacy, and Levshunov, Chicago’s prospect pool is showing encouraging signs.
But perspective matters — this was only the first game of the showcase, and the reality is that not all of these players will make the NHL.
What it does show, though, is that the Blackhawks have a healthy pipeline and a system worth investing in.
If Davidson and his staff stay patient and committed, this rebuild has a chance to move faster — and more effectively — than many expected.
