The Carter Hart Redemption Tour: 3 Teams Battling to Sign the Controversial Goalie

0 Sara Smith September 16, 2025

The drama surrounding Carter Hart’s potential return to the NHL is heating up, and it’s a fascinating situation to watch unfold. While there’s a lot of noise and conflicting reports, the latest from David Pagnotta points to three teams in the mix: the Philadelphia Flyers, Carolina Hurricanes, and Pittsburgh Penguins. Each of these presents a unique and intriguing scenario for the young goaltender.

Who Will Land Carter Hart? A Look at the Top 3 Contenders

Philadelphia Flyers

The idea of a reunion with the Flyers is almost poetic. Hart was once hailed as the franchise’s savior, the long-awaited solution to their perennial goaltending woes. While the team has Samuel Ersson, who stepped up admirably in Hart’s absence, and the newly acquired Dan Vladar, there’s no denying that a focused and in-form Carter Hart is a significant upgrade. The Flyers are a team on the upswing, and bringing back their former golden boy could be the move that accelerates their return to playoff contention. It’s a high-risk, high-reward situation, but one that could pay massive dividends for both parties.

Carolina Hurricanes

Then you have the Carolina Hurricanes, a team that seems tailor-made for what Hart is looking for. They are perennial contenders under Rod Brind’Amour, and their goaltending situation has been a constant question mark. Frederik Andersen is talented but injury-prone, and Pyotr Kochetkov looks more like a tandem goalie than a true number one. Hart could be the missing piece that solidifies their crease for the next few years, giving them the stability they need to finally get over the hump and win a Stanley Cup. The fit is almost too perfect, which in the world of NHL rumors, often means it’s the one to watch.

Pittsburgh Penguins

The Pittsburgh Penguins are the wild card here. They’re a team in transition, with an aging core and an uncertain future. Bringing in Hart would be a move that signals a commitment to a quicker retool rather than a full-blown rebuild. A tandem of Hart and the recently acquired Arturs Silovs could be a dynamic duo for years to come, providing a solid foundation as the team navigates the post-Crosby/Malkin era. It’s a bold move, but one that could give Penguins fans a reason to be optimistic about the future.