The Edmonton Oilers came up short against the Florida Panthers for two straight seasons. The team’s goaltending tandem of Stuart Skinner and Calvin Pickard has come under fire. In turn, GM Stan Bowman has been the focus of criticism, namely, his lack of movement regarding upgrading the team’s goaltending.
One NHL analyst wonders if a particular free agent goaltender is the answer to the Oilers’ problems in net.
Is Carter Hart the Solution to the Edmonton Oilers Goalie Problems?
The Sheet podcast, hosted by Jeff Marek, recently had Greg Wyshynski on as a guest. The two discussed many things, one of them being the thought that the Oilers situation in net might be the reason that Connor McDavid hasn’t put pen to paper.
“I think the concern for Edmonton fans right now is that the one thing he’s given us is that ‘I want to win in Edmonton’,” Wyshynski said to Marek on the September 2nd episode. “And everyone is wondering what the parenthetical to that is.”
Marek’s response was simply put, “Is it the ‘get us a goaltender’ question?”
Wyshynski then brought up the elephant in the room: Carter Hart.
“The uncomfortable conversation to have about Edmonton is Carter Hart. Let’s be honest,” Wyshynski said. He reveals why his name keeps popping up. “He’s the best goaltender that they could bring in at no cost to their roster. You wait around for the NHL to make their decision after that case was settled.”
“You wonder exactly what their part in this is, in so far as an investigation or how long those guys are going to have to sit on the sidelines.”
There are many goaltenders that are available via trade and free agency. Ilya Samsonov, Connor Ingram, Nico Daws, Michael DiPietro, Sebastian Cossa, are a few names that are either free agents, potential waiver wire pickups, or trade targets.
“I’m not the first person to mention Carter Hart,” Wyshynski stated. “He’s going to be better than most goaltenders who are going to be available via trade. You wonder if ultimately, Carter Hart is going to be the solution there.”
Hart Has Been Skating in the Oilers’ Backyard
Fueling this speculation, is the fact that a report states Hart has been practicing in the Oilers backyard since the conclusion of the 2018 Hockey Canada team trial.
“Speaking to a few NHL players over the last few days who have been on the ice with Carter Hart here in Edmonton this summer do say he looks great & he’s very focused on returning to the NHL,” wrote the 2 Mutts Podcast in a social media post on X at the end of August. “Hart believes he is able to help a team out.”
“His goalie mechanics from all reports look great from not playing these last few years. He’s ready to get an opportunity to show others he can be a huge contributor to the success of the team.”
The last time that Hart played in the NHL was during the 2023-24 regular season. He played 26 games for the Philadephia Flyers, recording 12 wins, a 2.80 goals against average (GAA), a .906 save percentage (SV%), and one shutout.
“All the players we spoke to believe Carter Hart deserves to play in the league again,” their post continues. “We are expecting an announcement within the next few weeks on Hart’s road back into the NHL.”
“There are a lot of teams who would bring him in on a PTO as at least 4 organizations have told us if he’s cleared to return ‘we will bring him in’.”
One week has passed since this report. David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period has also released a report regarding Hart in the last few days. Pagnotta wrote, “there are several teams, including the Philadelphia Flyers, interested in Carter Hart.”
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