Carter Hart Lands in Vegas, But Questions Remain

The Vegas Golden Knights announced they are bringing goaltender Carter Hart into the organization. The deal, initially a paid tryout, comes just over a month after the NHL and the NHLPA reinstated Hart and four other players from Canada’s 2018 World Juniors team.

The group was found not guilty of sexual assault charges this past summer in a high-profile trial in London, Ontario. The case originated from an alleged incident that occurred following a 2018 Hockey Canada gala. For Carter Hart, this marks a return to the ice after his career came to an abrupt halt. He hasn’t played in an NHL game since January 20, 2024, when he was the starting netminder for the Philadelphia Flyers. Shortly before the criminal charges were announced, Hart took an indefinite leave of absence from the team.

Now, with his legal battles behind him, the path back to the NHL has opened, and the Golden Knights were the first to knock on the door.

How the Deal with Carter Hart Came Together

While the other four players involved in the case—Dillon Dubé, Cal Foote, Alex Formenton, and Michael McLeod—are not expected to land on NHL rosters anytime soon, Hart’s situation was different. Unlike the others, he chose to remain in North America, training in Nashville while awaiting his professional fate.

The Flyers, his former team, made it clear back in September that Carter Hart would not be returning to Philadelphia. That left the 27-year-old goalie a free agent, and the Golden Knights saw an opportunity.

Sources indicate the deal is structured as a paid tryout, a low-risk move that is expected to convert into a full NHL contract. This arrangement allows Vegas to evaluate Hart up close before making a long-term commitment. Per the conditions set by the NHL and NHLPA, Hart can train with the team immediately. However, he can’t see game action for a bit when he is expected to suit up for the Henderson Silver Knights, Vegas’s AHL affiliate.

If all goes well and he signs a contract, Carter Hart would be eligible to make his official Golden Knights debut on December 1.

Vegas’ Goaltending Situation and the Hart Factor

The Golden Knights’ starting goaltender, Adin Hill, who signed a six-year extension in March, recently suffered a lower-body injury. With Hill’s return timeline uncertain, the team’s depth in the crease was suddenly a concern. Backup Akira Schmid, 25, is capable, but bringing in a player with Hart’s experience provides a significant insurance policy.

Before his leave, Hart had a career 2.94 goals-against average and a .906 save percentage across 227 NHL games. Those aren’t just replacement-level numbers; they’re the stats of a legitimate starting goalie. For a team with championship aspirations like Vegas, having that kind of talent available was too good to pass up.

The League and Team’s Position

The decision to sign Carter Hart has not been without scrutiny. In their statement on the players’ reinstatement, the NHL acknowledged the events that led to the trial were “deeply troubling,” adding that while the players’ conduct was not found to be criminal, it “certainly did not meet that standard” of moral integrity expected by the league.

The Golden Knights addressed the situation head-on in their own announcement. “The Golden Knights are aligned with the process and assessment the NHL and NHLPA made in their decision,” the team stated. “We remain committed to the core values that have defined our organization from its inception and expect that our players will continue to meet these standards moving forward.”