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Reinstated NHL Goalie Carter Hart's Situation Receives Update on Monday

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Antonio Losada | Last updated Sep 23, 2025 8:00 AM ET

Reinstated goaltender Carter Hart is closing in on an NHL return, with his free-agent decision expected soon.

According to Chris Johnston of The Athletic, the 27-year-old goaltender has narrowed his options and begun preparing to notify teams that they are out of the race to sign him.

“One week from becoming eligible to agree with a team on an NHL contract, free-agent goaltender Carter Hart has started to zero in on the most attractive options for where he might attempt to reboot his career,” Johnston reported on Monday.

Johnston added that the Carolina Hurricanes, Vegas Golden Knights, and "one or two other teams" remain in contention to sign the former Philadelphia Flyers netminder, also reporting that Hart’s priorities are playing time and joining a competitive franchise with a shot at the Stanley Cup title.

What I'm hearing about Carter Hart: Hurricanes, Golden Knights among suitors, Mammoth out https://t.co/wlo7oWuePo
— The Athletic NHL (@TheAthleticNHL) September 22, 2025

Bleacher Report’s Frank Seravalli already mentioned the Golden Knights as a serious suitor for Hart, while also throwing the Nashville Predators in as a possible destination.

Hart’s last appearance came with the Flyers on Jan. 20, 2024, before he took an indefinite leave of absence. His contract expired later that year. Unlike others in his situation, Hart did not continue his career in Europe, instead opting to train privately.

Hart was reinstated by the league in July alongside Dillon Dube, Cal Foote, Alex Formenton and Michael McLeod after being acquitted of sexual assault charges related to the 2018 Canadian World Juniors team. The earliest he can finalize a deal is Oct. 1, with NHL registration of contracts set for Oct. 15.

In his NHL career, Hart has played 227 regular-season games, more than any other goaltender his age besides Dallas Stars netminder Jake Oettinger with 251. Hart holds a career .906 save percentage and 2.94 goals-against average.

Sources cited by Johnston expect Hart to agree to a two-year contract with his new team, and for the goalie to spend time in the AHL on a conditioning stint before making his first NHL start in early December.

Several teams have already been ruled out, including the Edmonton Oilers and Philadelphia, but Hart’s decision remains among the top stories heading into October.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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