Las Vegas Golden Knights goaltender Carter Hart is set to make his return to the NHL on Tuesday in a game against the Chicago Blackhawks. After serving suspensions, Hart, along with four other former Canadian world junior players who were acquitted of sexual assault charges, have become eligible to play again. The Golden Knights signed Hart to a two-year deal following his reinstatement.
Former NHL goalie Devan Dubnyk emphasized that Hart’s arrival in Las Vegas brings more than just additional goalie depth. If Hart can perform at the high level he showed with the Philadelphia Flyers, he could become a significant asset for the team, potentially as the starting goaltender. Dubnyk noted that while Akira Schmidt has been performing well, Karl Lindbom has struggled since a teammate’s injury. With Adin Hill still sidelined, Hart has a strong chance to prove himself as the starter, giving the team more options when Hill eventually returns.
Despite some NHL teams choosing not to sign Hart—such as the Flyers, Edmonton Oilers, Carolina Hurricanes, Pittsburgh Penguins, and Utah Mammoths—Las Vegas took the opportunity to add him to their roster. Hart played 26 games with the Flyers last season before leaving amid sexual assault allegations, posting respectable stats with a 12-9-3 record, .906 save percentage, and 2.80 goals-against average.
Hart has completed a conditioning stint with the Golden Knights’ AHL affiliate, the Henderson Silver Knights, where his numbers were less impressive. However, Dubnyk cautioned against reading too much into Hart’s AHL stats, emphasizing the stark differences in play style and competition level between the NHL and AHL. Strong defensive structures in the NHL and the caliber of players Hart will face mean the challenge will be much greater.
In summary, Carter Hart’s return to the NHL with the Golden Knights presents a potential turning point for their goaltending situation. If he performs well, it could reshape the team’s strategy and improve their chances this season.
Fan Take: Carter Hart’s return is a compelling storyline for hockey fans, signaling not only his personal comeback but also a significant roster shake-up for the Golden Knights. His performance could influence playoff outcomes and impact goalie market dynamics in the NHL, making this an exciting development to watch closely.
