Panthers send Knight to AHL's Checkers

The Florida Panthers assigned goaltender Spencer Knight to the AHL's Charlotte Checkers, the team announced Friday.

Knight posted a .901 save percentage in 21 games with the Panthers last season. He left the team in February to enter the NHL/NHLPA player assistance program. In September, Knight told The Hockey News' David Dwork that he checked into the program due to his battle with obsessive-compulsive disorder.

The 22-year-old rejoined the team over the summer, participating in the team's development camp. Knight's appeared in three preseason contests and has a .918 SV% in those games.

"This wasn't a training camp decision," Panthers head coach Paul Maurice told team reporter Jameson Olive. "This is something we looked at from the start. He's made progress in his program. He feels good and looked fantastic. ... But we need him in a No. 1 position and to run his program."

The three-year, $13.5-million contract Knight signed in September 2022 commences this season. Despite his $4.5-million cap hit, he doesn't require waivers to be sent down. Knight has only played 59 NHL games in three seasons, and waivers are required after 80 contests or five professional seasons based on the signing of an entry-level contract, according to CapFriendly.

The Panthers will commence the season with Anthony Stolarz as Sergei Bobrovsky's backup. The 29-year-old signed a one-year contract worth $1.1 million on July 1 after posting a .899 SV% in 19 appearances with the Anaheim Ducks last season.

Florida begins its regular season on Oct. 12 against the Minnesota Wild.