Insider report on Carter Hart’s development leaves fans stunned

Last week, the Vegas Golden Knights made a controversial decision that got a lot of people talking, signing embroiled goaltender Carter Hart to a professional tryout contract, with plans to add him to the main roster when he becomes eligible to return to NHL action on December 1.

And it now looks like they’re about to make another one.

While Hart is not eligible to play in an NHL game until December 1 and is currently only on a PTO with Vegas, insider Frank Seravalli has revealed that the goalie is likely to get a significant contract once he can officially return to the league.

Seravalli explained on Insider Notebook on Tuesday that he hears Hart could get a one or two year contract, with some good money attached to it.

“We fully expect that that tryout agreement will transform into a 1 or 2 year deal, that’s one of the things the Golden Knights and Carter Hart’s camp are still sorting out.”

Seravalli has previously reported, prior to Hart getting a PTO with the Golden Knights, that he was likely to land a deal carrying an AAV somewhere up in the $2 million range.

Fans believe that's way too much for a guy who needs to rebuild his reputation and especially who has not played in almost two years.

At this time, Hart attends practice with the Golden Knights, who are more than likely eager to have him in the fold. Netminder Adan Hill left Monday’s game against the Carolina Hurricanes with an apparent leg injury midway through the first period. Hill had also left the Golden Knights’ game in Calgary on Oct. 14 after the first period and missed the team’s next game against Boston. On Wednesday, it was confirmed that Hill is considered week to week and will not even travel on the Knights upcoming road trip.

Therefore, Vegas has called up Carl Lindbom, a 22-year-old Swedish goalie, selected in the seventh round of the 2021 NHL Draft. Lindbom is 1-0-1 with a .958 SV% and 1.00 GAA in his two appearances so far this year with the team’s AHL affiliate Henderson Silver Knights.

With Hill on the sidelines for weeks to come and poor Akira Schmidt having to perhaps take on a much bigger workload, the Golden Knights might be willing to pay Hart a lot once he can join the franchise and hopefully win some games and secure the net situation.

Drafted by the Flyers in the second round of the 2018 NHL Draft, he spent six seasons in Philadelphia before parting ways in January 2024. His departure came amid legal proceedings stemming from a June 2018 incident at a London, Ontario, hotel following a Hockey Canada gala. Hart, along with Alex Formenton, Michael McLeod, Dillon Dube, and Cal Foote, faced charges, but all five were acquitted by Justice Maria Carroccia earlier this summer. After months of uncertainty and negotiations between the NHL and the NHLPA, Hart and his fellow acquitted players became eligible to sign contracts last Wednesday. Hart is the only one as of now to get a chance back into the NHL.