Insider reveals why the Florida Panthers were so willing to overpay Spencer Knight
The Florida Panthers made a surprising move last week extending Spencer Knight to a three year $4.5 million contract extension. Spencer Knight has played well for the Panthers and he is their first round pick in 2019. All of these would be reasons Florida would want to keep Knight long-term. Perhaps the surprising part of this contract extension is the timing of it. Florida does not have a lot of cap space to work with currently. Luckily for the Panthers, Knight's new deal won't start until next season. The real reason for the contract extension was that the organization was worried some other team would sign him to an offer sheet at the end of this season. TSN insider Pierre LeBrun stated « The Panthers were legitimately worried about the possibility of another team offer sheeting Knight.» From Florida's perspective they're already towards the salary cap ceiling. If another team approached Knight, it would be difficult to retain him. As a result, the Panthers offered Knight a three year bridge contract.
Knight appears could be the goalie of the future for this team. He has played well when called upon. However after this upcoming season, Florida will be paying both it's goalies a combine $14.5 million per season. Ouch! Most of that comes from Sergei Bobrovky's exorbitant ten million dollar a year salary. Florida has entertained the idea of trying to get rid Bobrovsky but that has yet to happen at this point. It will be difficult to find a team willing to take on that contract.
For now, Florida will start the year with Bobrovsky and Knight. They clearly want Knight in their future plans. He's a good young goaltender making a fair salary. Let's see what they decide to do with Bobrovsky in the near future.
| POLL | ||
Would Spencer Knight have received an offer sheet? | ||
| Yes, he would have | 31 | 50.8 % |
| No, probably not | 18 | 29.5 % |
| Maybe, not worth the risk | 12 | 19.7 % |
| List of polls | ||
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