Insider: Hurricanes Making Significant Progress With 2 Acquitted ex-Hockey Canada Players

Michael McLeod, former NJ Devils forward, skates with puck

Two of the five acquitted players from the Hockey Canada sexual assault trial earlier this year may find themselves together with the Carolina Hurricanes. Reports have been circulating about the team having interest in both Carter Hart and Michael McLeod, and according to insider Frank Seravalli of Bleacher Report, they could be getting closer to free agent deals with Carolina.

The Hurricanes have seemed to make progress in conversations with both goaltender Carter Hart as well as Michael McLeod, two players that were charged and then acquitted of all charges stemming from the Hockey Canada sexual assault trial. The Canes seem to have interest in both those pieces. You can understand why, particularly in net, that makes a ton of sense for them.

As Seravalli alludes to, finding a long-term solution between the pipes has been something Carolina has been looking to do for some time now, and Hart could fit that bill.

"The last number of years, Freddie Andersen, when he's in net, puts up great numbers. But he's a guy that continually seems to be injured, and I don't know if he's a guy that you can count on over a full... season."

"It sounds like it's going to be a multi-year deal, probably a two-year deal for Carter Hart, (though) not saying it definitely gets done... But I think Carolina is one of maybe 3 or 4 teams on the list that the Hart camp is focusing on."

The insider also figures that McLeod, who has been strongly tied to Carolina, would be a natural fit for the Hurricanes roster as well.

"He's someone that I think would add some significant speed to Carolina's lineup, and is someone that they've looked at for a little while now as someone who can come in and be one of those pieces."

Hurricanes 'making progress' with Carter Hart & Michael McLeod

Hart and McLeod are eligible to sign an NHL contract as of Oct 1st, which can be registered with the league on Oct. 15th, and then would be reinstated for play in the league as of Dec. 1st.

In Hart's last season, 2023-24, with the Philadelphia Flyers, he posted a .906 save percentage and a 2.80 goals-against average, both numbers pretty much in line with his career numbers over six seasons.

McLeod, in addition to bringing speed to the bottom-six, is also a face-off specialist.