Florida Panthers
Spencer Knight Taking Personal Leave From the Florida Panthers
SUNRISE — Florida Panthers goalie Spencer Knight will be taking a personal leave of absence from the team and will be getting care from the NHL/NHLPA player assistance program.
The player assistance program is “available to all players and their families. The program aids those who are going through mental health, substance abuse or other issues.”
Knight is not believed to be dealing with a drug or alcohol related issue.
There is no timeline for Knight’s return.
Per the release from the NHLPA and the NHL: Under the terms of the joint program, Knight will continue to be paid while receiving treatment. He will return to the Club when cleared for on-ice competition by the program administrators.
”We are all concerned about Spencer’s wellbeing,’’ Jordan Neumann, the agent for Knight told FHN on Friday afternoon. “The organization has been outstanding and cooperative every step of the way. We are looking forward to him returning to play in the near future.”
Knight was originally assigned to the team’s American Hockey League affiliate in Charlotte on Wednesday but his gear was still spotted outside the Panthers’ locker room on Thursday afternoon. Apparently, Knight was planning on meeting the Checkers in Providence for their game on Friday night.
Now, the transaction sending Knight to the AHL has been revoked; Alex Lyon will remain with the Panthers for the foreseeable future.
In the past, players who have joined the program have not counted against a team’s salary cap.
Florida coach Paul Maurice was asked about Knight on Thursday and he only spoke about Knight going down to the AHL to get some games in.
Knight has been dealing with illness and an injury since December.
“It is so much uniquely schedule based and then kind of sickness and health based for him,” Florida coach Paul Maurice said.
”He just didn’t get into the net and now we’re home for a month and we have these big block of days. Sergei plays a big hand in this because he’s played so well, it’s his ball.
“Spencer needs to get a bunch of reps here. He needs to get a bunch of pucks shot at him. So we have until the two four-game weeks we’ve got at the end of March when we’ll need two goaltenders to play. Leading into that, there’s a schedule that says ‘you’ve got a guy hot, run him’.”
PANTHERS ON DECK
BUFFALO SABRES AT FLORIDA PANTHERS
- When: Friday, 7 p.m.
- Where: FLA Live Arena, Sunrise
- TV/Streaming: Bally Sports Florida; ESPN+
- Radio: WPOW 96.5-FM2; WBZT 1230-AM (Palm Beach); WCTH 100.3-FM (Florida Keys); SiriusXM
- Panthers Radio Streaming: SiriusXM 932
- Season Series (Florida leads 2-0): Panthers 4, Sabres 3 (Oct. 15); Panthers 4, Sabres 1 (Jan. 16)
- Last season: Florida won 3-0
- All-time regular season series: Florida leads 53-44-8, 4 ties
- Up Next for the Panthers: Feb. 28 at Tampa Bay, 7 p.m.
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This may come across as insensitive or obtuse to some, and if so I apologize, but I believe this is a generational thing, if I missed work every time I simply felt bad or felt a little depressed or a little anxious about life, and I was still able to be paid, I’d probably only show up once or twice a week, Max. I mean, what are we doing? In the immortal words of my grandfather… “Suck it up buttercup” Ok rant over.
Why bother apologizing at the start if you don’t mean it and the whole point of your comment is to stop being a baby and suck it up? So you’d rather him suck it up now and potentially develop a substance abuse problem, like countless previous professional athletes, down the road by self medicating like a “real man” does and ruin his career?
Perhaps you should reread the article before becoming offended by the post. It’s specifically says it’s not drug or alcohol related.
You got to read the article before jumping to the comments.
Don’t worry I read the article before reading your outdated take. What do you think happens when an unchecked mental health issue is buried and left to fester? Ever wonder why there were so many alcoholics in your immortal grandpas generation?
My main gripe was that he continues to be paid while missing time, I am a business owner, and the thought of being forced to pay someones salary while they’re taking personal time irritates the hell out of me. If a person feels they need to take time for their menat health, great, that’s fine, that’s their prerogative, but why should your place of work be on the hook to pay you? If that’s policy , how long before the next guys says to himself, “gee, I would love some paid time off” …That was the point a was trying… Read more »
I could not even decipher what Maurice was quoted as saying.This guy can sure talk hockeyese to me.His after the game comments are like historical documentaries.As far as Spencer goes I hope he gets help and improves his play.Substance abuse and mental /depression are illneses and I dont judge anyone on these afflictions.Does anyone notice Maurice gives out alot of B.S. regarding info on when players wil be back from injury?He said Bennett would be back for Buffalo game.I plain dont like this guy as I think he is the wrong fit for the Panthers.Old boys club coach who is… Read more »
Bark off is actually played three games since that hand injury so I’m not sure after 3 days off while he’s out now it doesn’t bode well for him coming back the next game I can tell you that
And with such an important game tonight it blows my mind at one or both of them are not in the lineup. In my opinion if the injury isn’t bad enough to go on ltir they should be playing