3 Potential Destinations Cart Hart Could Sign

With the five players who were on trial being found not guilty, there is a path back to the NHL and the NHLPA wants the players re-instated. With all of them missing more than a full year of their NHL careers, it is argued that they should have the opportunity to return to work. Having said that, Carter Hart is a big topic of conversation with some teams still looking for goaltending help now and in the future. These are some teams that could use his services.

Edmonton Oilers

There is no team more in need of goaltending help than the Edmonton Oilers. Sure, they finally changed their goaltending coach after far too long, but we still have to see how that plays out and if too much damage has been done to Stuart Skinner and company. Hart was a good goalie when he played for the Philadelphia Flyers, even though they were not a good team. He is from Alberta and the Oilers are no stranger to taking on players who have had problems beforehand. Zack Kassian, Evander Kane, and arguably Corey Perry all had a solid time with Edmonton. Hart is desperately needed and according to Rinkside, the Oilers are in contract talks with Hart.

Florida Panthers

The Florida Panthers don't need goaltending as desperately as the Oilers, but Sergei Bobrovsky will be 37 years old before the start of next season and he is entering the final year of his contract. The Panthers already dealt their future in net, Spencer Knight, to the Chicago Blackhawks, so their next options are questionable. Florida acquired Daniil Tasarov, but he finished last season with a .881 SV%. The organization also has Brandon Bussi and Cooper Black in their system, but neither have proven to be NHL goalies yet, not even playing a game. If Bobrovsky retires or he re-signs and his workload is reduced, there needs to be a successor so the Panthers are scrambling. Hart could provide that.

Vegas Golden Knights

Adin Hill didn't have a great season for the Vegas Golden Knights, but it was also above average as he finished 2024-25 with a .906 SV%. The team didn't bring back Ilya Samsonov and are putting a lot of confidence in Akira Schmid to be the full time backup next season, having started just three games in the NHL last season and having played 48 games in his entire career. The Golden Knights are always looking to improve however they can, so it would not surprise me if they are in on a goalie like Hart. There isn't any immediate option to be called up and backup if someone gets injured and Hart would be able to push Hill for starts, making the team more competitive.