NHL: Chicago Blackhawks at Anaheim Ducks - Source: Imagn — Connor Bedard makes his feelings known on Blackhawks' latest $13,500,000 addition - Source: Imagn

Connor Bedard makes his feelings known on Blackhawks' latest $13,500,000 addition

Modified Mar 05, 2025 10:49 GMT

Chicago Blackhawks center Connor Bedard has expressed his excitement about the team's newest addition, Spencer Knight.

Bedard referred to Knight, a former first-round pick of the Florida Panthers from the 2019 draft, as someone looking to hit the reset button and find the success he didn’t truly get in Florida.

“Obviously a very high pick and a young goalie who's excited for a fresh start," Bedard told the media following Monday's practice. "Obviously super talented, so we're excited to have him. It's good, he got to come today and get on the ice and kind of get that feeling out.”

Despite winning a Stanley Cup last season, Knight’s path to the NHL was blocked by Sergei Bobrovsky.

Now, with the Blackhawks, Knight will have a much better chance of becoming a starting goaltender. The 23-year-old Knight is in the second year of a $13.5 million deal signed in 2023. He’ll be an RFA at the end of next season, according to PuckPedia.

“Obviously, we’re thrilled to have him,” Bedard added.

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The Blackhawks will square off against the LA Kings at United Center. By the looks of Chicago’s lines at Monday morning’s skate, Spencer Knight will get his first chance to start in goal for his new team.

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Connor Bedard part of Blackhawks' youth movement in post-Jones era

The Seth Jones trade could signal a new youth movement for the Blackhawks this season. A piece published on Feb. 28 in The Athletic explored this situation.

The piece looked at how trading Jones, among other veteran players, could signal that the Blackhawks are now fully committed to icing a lineup full of rising stars, with Connor Bedard being the centerpiece.

Earlier this season, the Hawks sought to infuse veteran talent to insulate their former No. 1 pick and reduce the burden that comes with being a franchise player. That approach hasn’t worked out very well.

The Seth Jones trade is proof of the Blackhawks’ shifting philosophy. With the team unlikely to be done before the trade deadline, other veterans may be shipped off for additional pieces like Spencer Knight. As The Athletic pointed out, other young players like Kevin Korchinski, Artyom Levshunov, Wyatt Kaiser, or Louis Crevier could head to the club before the end of the season.

While Chicago will not completely abandon key veteran players like captain Nick Foligno and top-six winger Tyler Bertuzzi, the Jones trade could be the clearest signal that the time has come for Connor Bedard to take over as the undisputed leader of the Hawks.

About the author

Nestor is an NHL and MLB writer at Sportskeeda with over 10 years of experience. Growing up in Toronto, he became an avid Maple Leafs and Blue Jays fan, but also admires the New York Islanders and Los Angeles Dodgers for their dominance in the 80s. Holding an Economics and Education major, Nestor’s passion for writing and sporting events led him to take up reporting about the sport professionally.

Nestor credits the Leafs’ playoff runs in the early '90s as having a lasting impact on him. His favorite players are Doug Gilmour and Mike Bossy, as he feels they were tough, talented leaders, while Pat Burns is his favorite coach of all time for always preaching a fast-paced game.

Growing up in Canada, it was natural for Nestor to become interested in ice hockey and he played Minor Hockey as a teenager, which has given him a unique perspective on the sport. Nestor has mastered the art of how to best present facts and he also has a knack for knowing which sources can be trusted, and which can't for stories.

When he is not writing about Canada’s national passion, Nestor enjoys running and hiking.

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