Could Carter Hart Return To The Flyers?

This is a very controversial topic so let’s get that out of the way right in the beginning. Everyone is entitled to feel however way they do about Carter Hart and the Hockey Canada investigation. Bottom line is all of the players involved have been acquitted of any charges, as the judge said the allegations lacked credibility.

So regardless of how you feel, there is a very real chance that most if not all of the players involved could be back in the NHL this upcoming season. The NHLPA and the NHL are currently in talks regarding how to handle the situation when it comes to possible suspensions, how the contracts will work, and any other details that need to be sorted out.

One of the players involved could directly impact the Philadelphia Flyers. Goaltender Carter Hart is looking to get back to the NHL and the Flyers will be one of the many teams that are going to show interest.

Think what you want but sources close to the situation have already confirmed that the Flyers have interest in possibly bringing Hart back into the fold.

Some of you are going to ask “Why would the Flyers do this?” There’s a few reasons why this actually makes a lot of sense. First off, the goaltending situation here in Philadelphia is far from great. Right now the Flyers are going into the season with Sam Ersson and Dan Vladar as their number 1 and number 2 goalies. Ivan Fedotov is the 3rd goalie right now and they could very well carry three goalies to start the season. Oh, and now Alexei Kolosov’s agent has told the Flyers that he will be reporting for training camp and has no problem if he has to play in the AHL which he was not for last season.

Out of the four possible options, not a single one of them is a proven number 1 goaltender that will help a young team win games when they need it. Sure, it’s been almost two years since Carter Hart has played an NHL game, but we at least know he was capable of being a number one goalie in the NHL. Was he a top ten goalie in the NHL? Probably not, but him coming back here would make him the best option in the organization if he is even half the goalie he was.

Another reason bringing Hart back would make sense is because the locker room has drastically changed since he was last here. Some might say yes, thats a perfect reason for him not to be brought back and sure it could be. But, on the other hand there is an entire new leadership group and there has been a lot of work done to help make the Flyers locker room a better environment. Sure, there would be some awkwardness at first but if the Flyers were to bring him back they would make sure their leadership group was fully on board and that there would be no issues with welcoming him back.

Finally, if and it’s a big IF Carter Hart comes back and ends up being the goaltender that the Flyers originally thought that he was going to be it drastically changes the dynamic of this team. They are young and are looking to take the next steps of a rebuild. Having a true number one goalie who you can rely on night in and night out would help this team play with more confidence and really open up their game. The Flyers could be a borderline playoff team this year, having a reliable goaltender could put them past some of the other teams also on that borderline.

The bigger question is going to be whether or not Carter Hart would be open to coming back to Philly. He is going to have about a dozen teams that have interest in him and he also just went nearly two years without getting paid. Will money be the main factor in where he signs, is he going to take a one year prove it deal, or is he looking for something more long term. All of those things are major factors as to where Carter Hart ends up signing, but never say never when it comes to him returning to the Philadelphia Flyers.

How would you feel if the Flyers brought back Carter Hart? Leave your reaction in the comments.

-Walsh

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