The rumor mill is a dangerous place when there isn't much hockey being played. While the prospects are in the middle of their showcases around the league, it makes the smallest news feel significant. When a report slid across everyone's Twitter timeline on Sunday afternoon involving Carter Hart and the Carolina Hurricanes, it led to an avalanche of responses.
It's common knowledge at this point that Hart was one of the five players accused in the Hockey Canada case that took the hockey community by storm over the last few years. All five players from the 2018 Canadian World Juniors team were acquitted of all charges on July 24th in an Ontario court. However, the court of public opinion remains divided.
As expected, the league revealed the parameters for how and when the five players are allowed to return to the NHL. Each is eligible to sign with a team on October 15th, with December 1st set as the first day they'd be allowed to play a game. Of the five players, Hart is likely to draw the most interest from teams around the league. Apparently, the Hurricanes could be in that pool.
It should be noted that Sunday's report came from David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period, so it should be taken with a grain of salt. He has a checkered past when "breaking" news involving the Hurricanes. His sources claim that Carolina was one of a few teams to reach out to Hart's camp. Whether that means they're interested in signing him or just doing their due diligence remains to be seen.
I want to be crystal clear that the purpose of this is not to pass judgment on what Carter Hart did. I'm not a judge, and I wasn't a member of that jury. The crime he was accused of is horrendous, but the angle I'm taking is purely from a hockey perspective. Of course there would be a firestorm of hatred, both within the fanbase and outside of it, from a PR standpoint. There are several on-ice reasons, too.
Hart's time off is an issue, and the Canes already have solid goalie depth
The most common point made in the comments section on various social media platforms is some variation of "Carter Hart is better than what we currently have". A lot has been made about the performances of Frederik Andersen and Pyotr Kochetkov in 2024-25. While the Canes allowed the 10th-fewest goals per game last season, they posted the 9th-worst save percentage.
Last season felt like an anomaly in that regard. Since Andersen joined the Canes in 2020, the team has been among the best in save percentage. The Canes allowed the fewest shots in the league, so it was painfully clear when the pucks were going in the back of the net. Kochetkov's season was especially rough, posting a sub-.900 save percentage, but Hart's career numbers aren't much better.
Across six seasons with the Philadelphia Flyers, Hart has a .906 save percentage. While that's .01 better than Kochetkov, the Carolina netminder allows nearly half a goal less than Hart year over year. Good defenses might have something to do with that. Andersen has them both beat, with a .915 save percentage and a 2.27 GAA in four seasons with Carolina. His greatest issue is staying healthy.
Speaking of health, Hart has encountered his fair share of injuries throughout his career. An MCL injury cost him the latter part of the 2021 season. He got hurt during a game in Raleigh in December 2022, coming into the game in relief of Samuel Ersson before a collision in the crease took him out. If we're pointing fingers at Andersen's health, the same concerns can be raised of Hart.
There isn't a good argument for playoff performance either. Hart has only played in the postseason once with Philadelphia, though his numbers in 2020 bubble were phenomenal. Andersen has experienced his share of good and bad moments in the playoffs, but I'd gladly take his experience when it matters most.
Time off is, arguably, the pertinent factor. Hart hasn't played an NHL game since January 20, 2024, allowing five goals on 15 shots before being pulled in a 7-4 loss to the Colorado Avalanche. Being out of action for that long is an issue for any player, let alone a goalie. No amount of practice can properly simulate an NHL game between the pipes.
Bringing him in as a third option also doesn't feel like a good idea, nor do I believe Hart wants that. Beyond the Andersen-Kochetkov tandem, Cayden Primeau is primed to be the Wolves' starter. Amir Miftakhov, his likely backup, didn't return from Russia to fall further down the depth chart. Ruslan Khazheyev and Nikita Quapp, who performed well during the rookie showcase, need reps, too.
This is one of the few years when I've really liked the depth the Hurricanes have in the crease. It might not be the best in the league, or the division for that matter, but it's still more defined than it has been in years. Adding Hart to the mix is a combustible situation the Carolina Hurricanes should want no part of.