Panthers GM expects young netminder to be back by fall

Knight played 21 games for the Panthers in the 2022-23 season, earning a record of 9-8-3 with a 3.18 GAA and .901 SV%. He entered the season with the expectation of fighting for the starter’s job with two-time Vezina Trophy-winning goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky. However, he entered the NHL’s player assistance program in February and remained there for the duration of the regular season and playoffs.

The specific reason that caused him to enter the program has not been made public. While Knight was away from the team, Alex Lyon took over his spot behind Bobrovsky, ultimately playing a role in the Panthers’ Stanley Cup Final run. Due to the sensitive nature of players entering the assistance program, it is always unclear how much time they will spend there and when, if ever, they can return to their teams full-time.

Zito sounds confident that whatever issue Knight is struggling with will be resolved by the fall. It is unclear whether that means he will return for training camp or at some later date.

Knight was a 13th overall pick of the Panthers in the 2019 NHL Draft. He played the two seasons leading up to the draft for the U.S. National Development Team. Following the draft, he played two seasons for Boston College, posting .931% and .932% save percentages, respectively. He played four games in the NHL after his college season ended in 2020-21, winning all four. He played two playoff games for the Panthers as well.

In his career, Knight has played 57 NHL games with a record of 32-17-6. He has a 2.91 GAA and .906 SV% and remains one of the most promising young goalies in the NHL at just 22 years old.