More teams linked to Carter Hart pending the results of criminal case!

It all started when insider Kevin Weekes stunned everyone on the opening day of free agency when he mentioned how Oilers Stan Bowman was reportedly considering signing none other than Carter Hart in Edmonton to improve the goaltending situation for his team moving forward.

The speculation got a lot of attention as we await the verdict in the trial in which Hart is facing serious accusations. As you may remember, five players were charged in the 2018 World Junior alleged sexual assault, including Hart, Alex Formenton, Dillon Dube, Cal Foote and Michael McLeod. They were all charged with one count of sexual assault in the 2018 World Junior alleged incident that allegedly occurred following a Hockey Canada gala in Ontario in June 2018. Court documents from 2022 revealed London police believed they had reasonable grounds to accuse five players of sexually assaulting a young woman in a hotel room. At the time, the Philadelphia Flyers parted ways with Carter, making him a free agent.

And while Jason Gregor recently denied that the Oilers would even consider signing Hart as a free agent, even if found not guilty, it sounds like other teams remain interested.

According to David Pagnotta of the Fourth Period, teams are keeping a close eye on the situation with the verdict expected by the end of the month.

“I think there are clubs that are from a purely hockey perspective keeping tabs on [the Hockey Canada London trial]; if he’s cleared, I think there will be teams knocking on the door, Pagnotta said on the Big Show.

Jake Tye of the Hockey News went as far as wondering if the Detroit Red Wings could make a move on Hart, despite acquiring best available goaltender in John Gibson from the Anaheim Ducks earlier this month.

“The crease should be more secure than ever for Detroit next season but there’s a chance they can keep adding to make it stronger. Red Wings GM Steve Yzerman spoke to the media following free agency and still spoke to the third goalie position as one they still need to fill before the start of the season,” Tye wrote.

Hart made 25 starts for the Flyers in the 2023-24 season before he left to deal with much bigger issues. In total, Hart played 227 total games for the Flyers, including 218 starts. He was a second-round pick by the Flyers in the 2016 NHL draft.

Not sure what is next for him…