Penguins A to Z: Graham Knott made little impact with a second chance

While the NHL is on hold due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, the Tribune-Review will offer Penguins A to Z, a player-by-player look at all 55 individuals under NHL contract with the organization, from mid-level prospect Niclas Almari to high-profile trade acquisition Jason Zucker.

Player: Graham Knott

Position: Center

Shoots: Left

Age: 23

Height: 6-foot-4

Weight: 195 pounds

2019-20 AHL statistics: 11 games, zero points (zero goals, zero assists)

2019-20 ECHL statistics: 33 games, 23 points (11 goals, 12 assists)

Contract: Final year of a three-year entry-level contract with a salary cap hit of $728,333. Pending restricted free agent this offseason

Acquired: Trade, Nov. 20, 2019

This season: Knott was an intriguing reclamation project when the Penguins acquired him from the Chicago Blackhawks in exchange for sturdy AHL forward Joseph Cramarossa.

A second-round pick (No. 54 overall) of the Chicago Blackhawks in 2015, Knott never gained traction as a power forward with that organization, failing to play above the AHL level with that franchise. In fact, he spent nearly two months in the ECHL with the Indy Fuel before November’s transaction.

Any hopes a new environment would lead to an immediate reversal of fortunes were all for naught for Knott. He was a scratch for 10 games before making his debut with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton on Dec. 14.

Knott appeared in two more games Wilkes-Barre/Scranton before returning to the ECHL on Jan. 2 when he was assigned to the Wheeling Nailers.

While with Wheeling, Knott was given a more prominent role in the top six and even got some power-play time, putting up decent numbers with 14 points (six goals, eight assists) in 18 ECHL games.

(Video courtesy Wheeling Nailers)

That modest success led to a promotion with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton on Feb. 20. Knott appeared in eight more AHL games, primarily in a bottom-six role, before the AHL halted play in mid-March.

The future: Whatever prompted the Blackhawks to select Knott as high as they did, it hasn’t been evident as it pertains to becoming a viable NHLer. Keep in mind, he was selected a handful of picks before rising NHL players such as St. Louis Blues defenseman Vince Dunn and Tampa Bay Lightning forward Anthony Cirelli.

Physically, he looks like he has the tools to become a viable net-front power forward. He has a tall, rangy body with a good reach and is a fair skater capable of playing center (he was strong in the faceoff circle in juniors) or either wing.

Yet, even with the benefit of his natural gifts, he has eight goals and 22 points in 137 career AHL games.

The Penguins are never afraid to give guys like Knott a second (or third or fourth) chance. That has been their calling card under general manager Jim Rutherford. But given Knott’s status as a pending restricted free agent, management already might have seen enough to move on.

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