Few goalie stories in the NHL have carried as much intrigue as the Carter Hart situation in 2025. Now that the dust has settled from the acquittal of the ‘Hockey Canada Five’, speculation about Hart’s next steps is at an all-time high. As an expert in NHL rumors, let’s cut through the noise and look at what’s really going on.
Why NHL Teams Are Still Waiting on Carter Hart’s Comeback Decision
The reality is this: While Hart has been legally cleared, the league itself still holds the final say on whether he’ll be allowed to sign with a new team for the 2025–26 season. Dennis Bernstein’s TSN Radio comments were telling—not only confirming that Hart’s NHL career isn’t over, but also that it almost certainly won’t resume until next year. The NHL is proceeding with caution, similar to how they handled Joel Quenneville and Stan Bowman, placing a premium on optics and public trust.
From a hockey standpoint, Carter Hart’s numbers over six seasons (.906 SV%, 2.94 GAA) still make him an attractive option for any franchise looking to shore up its goaltending. He’s just 26, theoretically entering his prime, and would hit the market as an unrestricted free agent with minimal baggage on his contract. But the “leave of absence” label and the league’s ongoing deliberations mean no GM wants to jump the gun.
Where could he land if cleared? Edmonton is the most frequently mentioned landing spot, given that their window to win is now and that they need an upgrade in net. If the NHL rules on Hart’s eligibility before training camp, the Oilers will be a team to watch.
My personal take: Hart will be back, but the NHL will delay until they’re certain the PR fallout is manageable. We’ve seen this playbook before. Don’t be surprised if Hart is back in an NHL crease for the 2025–26 season, and don’t rule out a few other teams making a play. For now, it’s a waiting game, but the hockey world isn’t done with Carter Hart.
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The post Carter Hart News: NHL Return Unlikely This Year—But Here’s What Insiders Are Saying appeared first on NHL Trade Rumors.
