Mar 8, 2022; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Vegas Golden Knights center Jack Eichel (9) and Philadelphia Flyers goaltender Carter Hart (79) during the first period at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
After all that has happened, signing Carter Hart to play hockey in the NHL is definitely a gamble.
So, it's apropos that the team that is taking that chance plays its home games in Las Vegas.
The Golden Knights are giving Carter Hart a chance to re-enter the NHL, announcing on Thursday that Hart will join the organization on a professional tryout agreement (PTO) following his reinstatement by the NHL.
Hart hasn’t played a meaningful game since January 2024, when he took an indefinite leave from the Philadelphia Flyers amid sexual assault charges tied to a 2018 incident in London, Ontario.
In July, he was acquitted in court, and under NHL/NHLPA rules, he became eligible to sign a contract starting Oct. 15 and to appear in games no earlier than Dec. 1.
During the interim, he is permitted to practice and use team facilities while ramping up to again play in the NHL.
Hart’s career stats command attention: 227 NHL appearances with a record of 96-93-29, a 2.94 goals-against average and a .906 save percentage.
Among peers his age, only Dallas goalie Jake Oettinger has played more games.
But the long layoff raises questions about how sharp he will be when he returns.
Vegas’ timing may give Hart a realistic path back to NHL action. Their current starting goalie, Adin Hill, sustained a lower-body injury in their recent game.
Backup Akira Schmid has shown promise but is unproven across a full season’s workload.
Hart’s PTO gives Vegas flexibility: they can evaluate him without immediately committing to a long-term contract.
The belief is the team is eyeing a potential one- or two-year deal if Hart proves himself worthy during this ramp-up period.
Carter Hart speaks to the media after his news of joining Vegas. 🗣️
(🎥: @SinBinVegas)pic.twitter.com/FeMiZdz6se https://t.co/64WX4Ljg2P
Hart’s return is as much a risk as it is a fresh start. During his Flyers tenure, he showed flashes of brilliance but struggled at times - particularly during 2020–22, when his goals saved above expectation metric placed him near the bottom of NHL goalies.
He’s not the biggest netminder, and critics question whether he’ll retain elite quickness and rebound after sitting out so long.
Still, Hart has attributes that could make a comeback story possible. He’s known for athleticism in chaotic zone scrambles, making glove saves that catch attention.
With Hart in the mix, Vegas may turn him into a midseason option. If he impresses, the team will convert the PTO into an official NHL contract, particularly given the need for crease depth during Hill’s recovery.
For Hart, the PTO is a bridge back to the league — not a guarantee, but a chance to prove the skeptics wrong.
But that's where the hockey stops, and the optics of the signing take a larger space in hockey world.
Because there are a lot of people who feel that even though Hart was found not guilty in court, it still doesn't justify the actions of the players that night, many of which were not disputed in court.
The outrage is over the culture of the sport and that Hart and his four Team Canada mates who were charged — and others present that weren't — still should face some sort of punishment beyond the time spent away from the sport as they had their court battle.
Fans were outraged on social media. A small smapling:
If you need a group chat to get your story straight, you don’t think you are innocent.
Proven not guilty in court doesn’t mean you’re not guilty of any wrongdoing.
It’s a privilege to play in the NHL, you have young children looking up to you.
Fuck Vegas and Fuck Carter Hart
Disheartened that money means more than morality. Not guilty does not mean innocent- the actions of those 5 men that night were disgusting, shameful and unacceptable. To allow Carter Hart to be a part of the NHL endorses entitlement & Glorifies Sexual assault and manipulation.
Carter Hart being back in the NHL is an absolute fucking disgrace
The Golden Knights had to put out a statement, which, in and of itself is indicative that they recognize this might not be a popular signing.
Alas, it happened. Despite a fan petition that garnered 2,000 signatures begging the Golden Knights to not sign Hart, it happened.
Vegas is at least a small enough media market that this shouldn't fester in town for long, but every time Hart goes to a new city, he should expect jeers.
As for when he could face his old team, the Flyers?
The Golden Knights are in town on Dec. 11 - a mere 10 days after Hart is allowed to play in an NHL game.
Will that be enough time to get his timing back? If so, will the Philadelphia fan base be kind to him, or will he get the Cutter Gauthier treatment?
If he doesn't suit up that night, Flyers fans will have to wait until next season to confront him at Xfinity Mobile Arena, but they would still have a chance to square off against him when the Flyers fly to Vegas for a game on Jan. 19.
