While it wasn't too surprising to see Chicago Blackhawks goaltender Spencer Knight excluded from the NHL Network's top 10 netminders list that was released on Sunday, the first-year starter still proved a lot with his performance throughout the 2025-26 season.
The Blackhawks' drastic second-half decline, sparked by key injuries to Connor Bedard and Frank Nazar in December, thwarted all the momentum Knight generated in the opening months of the season. Had the situation around him been different, however, there would have been a legitimate chance for Knight to play his way onto the NHL Network's ranking.
More in the links for a deeper dive into Knight's exclusion from the list.
Around the league, the Anaheim Ducks ' disastrous offseason continues, Drake Batherson and the Ottawa Senators remain far apart in negotiations, and Sheldon Keefe's situation in New Jersey .
All that & more in the Daily!
Chicago Hockey Now: It's probably a stretch to consider Spencer Knight among the NHL's ten best goaltenders. At the same time, Knight performed like a top-tier netminder in the early going last year and doesn't feel too far removed from being in the conversation. Should the Blackhawks improve as a team next season, Knight has a strong chance to crack the NHL Network's top-10 goalie list in 2027.
Cory Schneider and EJ Hradek weighed in on the NHL Network's 2026 rankings and discussed which young goaltenders could find their way into the top 10 this time next year. Schneider believes St. Louis Blues goalie Joel Hofer has the upside to do so, while Hradek showed some love to the Blackhawks No. 1 option.
Also in Blackhawks news, Chicago Sports Network announced on social media that their streaming services are now available for purchase on Amazon Prime. A single-team subscription to watch the Blackhawks this season remains priced at $19.99 per month. Fans can still subscribe through the CHSN App or CHSN.com .
Lastly, former Blackhawks forward and two-time NCAA National Champion Ben Smithhas joined Boston College as an assistant coach for the 2026-27 season. Smith graduated from Boston College in 2010 and most recently served as a Player Development Coordinator for the Boston Bruins in 2025-26.
NHLtraderumors.me: A massive bombshell from Paul Shaheen, as "reliable sources" told him that restricted free-agent forward Cutter Gauthier recently declined a four-year, $13 million AAV contract offer from the Anaheim Ducks. Gauthier seemingly wants a deal between what Connor Bedard ($15 million) and Leo Carlsson ($18 million) signed for earlier this offseason. Trouble continues for Ducks GM Pat Verbeek.
New Jersey Hockey Now: Heading into the third year of his contract, New Jersey Devils head coach Sheldon Keefe still has plenty to prove. James Nichols from NJHN writes how the upcoming 2026-27 season is "make or break" for Keefe in New Jersey.
Ottawa Citizen: Bruce Garrioch reports that the gap between forward Drake Batherson and the Ottawa Senators remains large as a crucial Sept. 15 deadline looms. The 27-year-old is coming off a career-best 33 goals and 71 points in 2025-26. If no extension is signed by Sept. 15, Batherson and the Senators would lose the ability to secure an eight-year contract .
NHL.com: The Carolina Hurricanes and Buffalo Sabres were involved in a minor trade on Monday. The Sabres sent forward Stiven Sardarian to the Carolina Hurricanes in exchange for future considerations. Sardarian, 23, was a third-round pick by the Sabres in the 2021 NHL Draft. He just completed his fourth season of college hockey with Michigan Tech in 2025-26.
Detroit Hockey Now: The question everyone is wondering this offseason. What the heck is going on with the Detroit Red Wings ? Bob Duff investigates all the uncertainty surrounding Detroit's front office, where Shawn Horcoff appears to be handling day-to-day operations at the moment. Are the "current" execs dead men walking?
Philly Hockey Now: Perhaps the most shocking inclusion in the NHL Network's top-10 goalie list was Philadelphia Flyers starter Dan Vladar . William James from PHN writes that Vladar's success as the Flyers' backbone in 2025-26 makes him worthy of the honor.
Daily Faceoff: After receiving a 97 overall ranking in NHL 26, Edmonton Oilers superstar Connor McDavid has leveled up in the latest edition of EA's video game series. McDavid was announced on Monday as the inaugural member of EA Sports NHL's '99 club', earning the highest overall possible in NHL 27.
For more Blackhawks news, visit Chicago Hockey Now and like our Facebook Page .
Follow us on X:
The post Jack's Daily: Ducks Offer Declined; CHSN News; Blackhawks Goalie Snub? appeared first on Chicago Hockey Now .
