Major update on Carter Hart and another player from from 2018 World Juniors scandal

Each of the five players exonerated in the 2018 World Junior scandal are now eligible to sign with NHL teams and are eligible to return to action on December 1st.

Of course, earlier today one of those players, Michael McLeod, signed a three year deal with Avangard Omsk of the KHL after weeks of rumors tying him to the Carolina Hurricanes. It's believed that fan backlash prevented the Hurricanes from pursuing McLeod and goaltender Carter Hart.

It's still believed though that the Vegas Golden Knights have interest in Hart and, indeed NHL insider Chris Johnston reports that Hart is expected to sign with the Golden Knights next week.

From Johnston on TSN's Insider Trading segment earlier today:

"All indications are that he will start his comeback to pro hockey in North America. With Hart, the expectation remains that he is going to sign with the Vegas Golden Knights and those conversations have been ongoing."

Incidentally, Johnston's TSN colleague Darren Dreger reports that Alex Formenton is also looking to resume his career, but he'll need some help. Unlike Hart, McLeod and the other two accused players from the scandal (Dillon Dube and Cal Foote), Formenton is not a free agent. The Ottawa Senators hold his rights and they have publicly stated that they will not be re-signing him. If Formenton's NHL career is going to continue, he and his agent will need to facilitate a trade elsewhere.

From Dreger on Insider Trading earlier today:

"A different path for 26 year old Alex Formenton. He's playing in Switzerland but he'd like to return to the National Hockey League but there's nothing imminent there. We know that Ottawa Senators general manager Steve Staios announced publicly that Formenton would not be coming back to Ottawa, but Staios has given Formenton's agent... permission to speak to other clubs about the possibility of having his rights traded."

I've got to say... I think Formenton's chances to get back into the NHL aren't great.

He's simply not skilled enough to entice a team to look past his baggage. Add to that that he hasn't played an NHL game since 2022 and I can't imagine a team sticking out their neck for him.