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According to @MoneyPuckdotcom
, Spencer Knight leads all NHL goaltenders in Goals Saved Above Expected.Happy Friday…Spencer Knight GSVA
Good period overall 👏 on the road 1-0…
Nazar finds the back of the net on the power play ⚡️
Foligno needs to play a little smarter — avoid those unnecessary penalties. Not Necessary…
Mikheyev with another strong period — earning every dollar 💰
Tampa just doesn’t look sharp tonight…I wrote an article about him… few months ago
Spencer Knight — The Toughest Save of His Life
Let’s be honest — sometimes the biggest battles aren’t on the ice.
In February 2023, Spencer Knight made a decision that took more courage than any glove save. He stepped away from hockey to take care of himself. The Panthers announced he had entered the NHL/NHLPA Player Assistance Program, and just like that, the young goalie disappeared from the lineup.
No one knew the full story at first. But behind the scenes, Knight was fighting something real — Obsessive Compulsive Disorder.
The Pressure Behind the Mask
Knight was supposed to be Florida’s goalie of the future — first-round pick, 13th overall in 2019, calm, confident, ready for the spotlight.
But underneath all that, he was struggling with constant, intrusive thoughts that wouldn’t go away.He talked later about it: the hand-washing, the fear of contamination, the rituals that took over his mind. It started back at Boston College, but by 2023 it got worse.
After one game in Winnipeg, he said he felt like he was “spiraling in a direction I didn’t want to go.”That’s when he made the hardest call of his young career — to ask for help.
Stepping Away to Get Better
On February 24, 2023, Knight entered the league’s assistance program.
It meant time away from the Panthers, away from the noise, and away from the pressure to perform.But it also meant something bigger — a chance to breathe again.
He said later that it was about “getting back to being himself,” and that simple idea is powerful.He didn’t quit. He reset.
The Comeback
When Knight returned to the ice a few months later for development camp, you could see it in his smile — the joy was back.
He told reporters, “It’s just fun to get back in the swing of things.”That line says it all.
Sometimes the game can swallow you up. Sometimes you need to step back to find your love for it again.Now, Knight’s story is no longer just about hockey — it’s about resilience, mental strength, and breaking the stigma around mental health in sports.
More Than a Goalie
Spencer Knight’s courage reminds us that even the best athletes are human.
Behind every save and every celebration, there’s a person trying to keep it together — just like the rest of us.He didn’t just make a comeback on the ice. He made one in life.
And maybe that’s the most important save he’ll ever make.Blackhawks face the Lightning tonight at 5:45pm CT. It’s an ESPN+/Hulu exclusive.
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Take a note: Burakovsky is out family reason and Foligno is back
expect 11″F” 7 “D”: Lafferty (healthy scratch)
Thank you so much for your comment, my friend. I completely agree with your take on Kaiser — he’s been showing a lot of poise and maturity in his game this season.
Thanks for your comment about Kaiser — I totally agree with you. As for Lafferty, still no news yet.
Right now, I’d keep Levshunov around with the Blackhawks. Why? Because he’s learning what it takes to be a professional NHL player, and that experience is invaluable. Practicing with NHL veterans, being around that daily environment, and playing around 15 minutes a night helps his overall development.
But you’re right — if his ice time drops below 13 minutes per game, then it’s better for him to play big minutes in the AHL instead.
Thanks for your comment, my friend — really appreciate it! You’re right, it’s great when the numbers back up what we see on the ice. And yeah, Bedard is a special case — even when the metrics dip, he still creates more quality chances than anyone else out there.
Thanks a lot for reading and for your great comment! I really appreciate your kind words. You’re absolutely right about Kaiser’s leadership with Levshunov — that mentorship has been valuable, especially early in the season. With the Hawks rotating seven defensemen, the pairings have shifted quite a bit, but Kaiser’s experience and calm presence are clearly helping Artyom adjust to the NHL pace. Great observation on your part!
You can read my ranking below:
This is the next phase of roster construction, my friend. You’re absolutely right — when players built for transition start becoming solid fourth-liners or third-pairing defensemen, that’s real progress in a rebuild. Probably just one or two more years before everything comes together. Well said, and thanks for your input!
Thanks for your comment, my friend — really appreciate it! Glad you enjoyed it. You’re right, Knight’s been rock solid and the young guys are bringing great energy. Fun start to the season for sure!
Thanks for your comment, Angotti — really appreciate it. You’re absolutely right about Kaiser. I didn’t include him in that earlier breakdown because he was the focus of my next article, which is already out (or dropping today). But yes, Kaiser has been the under-the-radar difference-maker for the Blackhawks through these first seven games.
Mr. Ricochet, you nailed it again! I always enjoy reading your stories about different players.
I watched Knight for three years with the Panthers when I was living in Sunrise. Every single day, he spent about 45 minutes working with Dallas’ goalie coach before team practices—learning, improving, and refining his game. You could really see him getting better day by day.
Thanks again for sharing his story. Have a great night!
