Predicting The 'Several Teams' Carter Hart Could Sign With

The goaltending market might have someone thrust into it late in the offseason for teams to fight over as the decision on Carter Hart's eligibility to play this season is on the horizon. David Pagnotta said, "there are several teams, including the Philadelphia Flyers, interested in goaltender Carter Hart, but they continue to wait on the NHL's decision to determine when he is eligible to play."

If it is this season, then there are already teams chomping at the bits to add a young, well above average goaltender to the mix. The Flyers are mentioned by name, so I don't have to predict anything there, but what about the other teams. Let's dive in.

Edmonton Oilers

There isn't a more obvious choice to be targeting a goalie from Alberta, who is working out in Edmonton, when the team has desperately needed goaltending for years now, than the Edmonton Oilers. Hart fits the bill of a younger goalie to keep the Stanley Cup window open for many years, and would be a great tandem with Stuart Skinner, who is expected to bounce back to a certain extent this season, but is also a UFA after the season. The Oilers aren't shy about bringing players with troubled pasts into the organization and seeing a complete 180, like Zack Kassian and Evander Kane. Hart could be the next success story in Edmonton and arguably the best and cheapest option coming out of the decision.

Florida Panthers

The Florida Panthers might not actively be looking for their future goalie with Sergei Bobrovsky still performing at a high level in the playoffs and helping the team grab back-to-back Stanley Cups, but he will be 38 years old at the end of next season and that's when his contract finishes. At the very least, the team needs a plan, and I don't think Daniil Tarasov will be able to move into a 50-50 role or starting role. That's where Hart comes in. The Panthers currently have cap space with Matthew Tkachuk on the LTIR until at least January, and they will be able to pull something off as they always do. Hart is the goalie who can extend that Cup window for the Panthers too because losing Bobrovsky without a plan would be detrimental.

Buffalo Sabres

I think it's time to make another big splash for the Buffalo Sabres, but this time shake up the goaltending. Unless Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen bounces back and outplays the defensive struggles of the team, Alex Lyon is a saviour, or Devon Levi finally figures out the NHL, the Sabres will have the same problem and fall short of the playoffs. Hart has pulled a team to the playoffs before in 2019-20 with the Flyers and put up big numbers there too. He could even just be a short fix, but a fix nonetheless. They have to try something different.

Pittsburgh Penguins

If the Pittsburgh Penguins can trade Tristan Jarry within the next month, they could be in the market for another younger goalie like Hart. Arturs Silovs will be in the NHL, but Joel Blomqvist doesn't have to be immediately as he isn't eligible for waivers. The Penguins will be more confident in Silovs moving forward anyways, but in a tandem with Hart could give some hope for the future. This won't happen if Jarry is still around though.