With the Oilers out, another Canadian team reportedly goes after Carter Hart

Last week, the five players accused in the 2018 World Juniors sexual assault case were all found Not Guilty. The NHL declared the players currently ineligible to play in the league, saying that Michael McLeod, Carter Hart, Alex Formenton, Dillon Dubé and Cal Foote would be ineligible to play despite the players being found not guilty of all charges in an encounter with a woman in a hotel room seven years ago. In its statement, the NHL said the allegations in the case were “very disturbing,” even if not deemed criminal. The league also called the behaviour of the players “unacceptable”. After the NHLPA issued a strong response to the ban, saying that its players should “have the opportunity to return to work”, rumours immediately emerged on what could be next for the players, especially when it comes to Hart, who had previously been linked to the Edmonton Oilers.

However, on Tuesday, NHL insider Frank Seravalli reported that Hart is a “non-starter” for the Oilers.

“I was told that Carter Hart is a non-starter for the Edmonton Oilers,” Seravalli reports today. “He’s been labelled by the NHL as ineligible and they’re going to continue to review the file before determining next steps in the commissioner’s office. So, until (he) is cleared to play it’s not even really a conversation worth having.”

However, it sounds like another Canadian team has expressed interest in Hart. In a CBC article by Karen Pauls on Tuesday, she explained what could be next for the five players and hinted at Ottawa being in the mix to possibly sign Hart whenever possible.

“Of the five men who were on trial, Hart is being viewed as the player most likely to return to the NHL,” she wrote.

Adding: “some sports analysts have suggested Hart could be on the ice within the next year, possibly with the Edmonton Oilers or the Senators, although neither team has acknowledged that possibility.”

With the Oilers apparently out, Hart could land in Ottawa.

“Carter Hart will play in the NHL. I have no doubt at all,” Eric Macramalla, a TSN/Forbes Sports legal analyst and host, said on X on Thursday. He added in later interviews that Hart’s decision to testify at the London trial will go a long way in the court of public opinion.

The feeling is now that, following the Players’ Association’s response, some teams will go after some of the players, to see if there is interest for an NHL return.

Michael Russo of the Athletic has reported that “ there are certainly NHL executives with interest in signing some of the players,” with a focus on players like Hart, McLeod and Dube.

Many experts believe this could all happen very quickly, and that Hart will be in high demand. And so an offer could be coming soon, especially with the NHLPA currently fighting against the league’s ban. And perhaps the Senators will be the ones making the offer.

Stay tuned…