Insider Believes Team & Contract Have Been Decided By Carter Hart

Carter Hart might have settled on a team to play for this season and it turns out it's the Vegas Golden Knights, who still have a little bit of money to use since Alex Pietrangelo appears to be out for the season.

Frank Seravalli said, "This is likely to be a two-year deal. It's definitely not for league minimum; ballpark that, it's probably somewhere in the $2's (million AAV)."

The Golden Knights didn't find anyone they particularly liked in net to back up Adin Hill this offseason, whether that be in a trade or free agency, and seemed to be comfortable going into the season with Akira Schmid in the role to begin things with Hill carrying the heavy workload. But this Hart opportunity presented itself. To get a goalie who was a top-15 goalie in the league before everything happened for how cheap the contract is being rumored to be is a steal.

If Hart signs with Vegas, he will have a chance to win and the expectation is that Hill's starts will drop a bit. He went 32-13-5 with a 2.47 GAA and .906 SV% in 50 starts last season, but Hart will be looking to get around half of the games. Numbers and streaks will play a part in who gets multiple games in a row and who gets more starts, but there should be competition in net if the team is able to sign Hart.

This would be a hit to the Carolina Hurricanes, who have also been reported to be in the running for Hart. They have less of a clear starter, but more injury history in net than Vegas does with Hill. I don't think Schmid will be claimed off of waivers though when he becomes the third string goalie again as other young goalies who should be options for teams to pick up and test include Nico Daws, Michael DiPietro, and Clay Stevenson.

More Carter Hart news shouldn't be far off as he can sign this year and play again in the NHL.