“A NON-STARTER FOR THE OILERS: Carter Hart’s NHL Comeback Hits Wall Despite Acquittal, Casting Doubt on Goalie’s Future in Edmonton”
Carter Hart’s name once symbolized the future of goaltending in Canada—a poised, technically-sound phenom projected to anchor the crease of both the Philadelphia Flyers and the national team for years to come. But as the summer of 2025 unfolds, Hart finds himself mired in limbo. Though recently acquitted in a high-profile legal case that had sidelined his NHL career, his road back to hockey remains riddled with obstacles. Most glaringly, any potential fit with the Edmonton Oilers has been ruled out before it could even begin. As sources inside the organization describe it, Hart is a “non-starter” for the Oilers, and the implications of that label stretch far beyond just one team’s decision.
Hart’s legal troubles were the primary reason he vanished from the NHL spotlight over the past year. After a promising start to his career, including a standout 2019-20 playoff run in the bubble, his performance waned, and then came the allegations—serious, career-threatening charges tied to an incident under investigation by authorities and the NHL. In the court of law, Hart was recently cleared, bringing relief to his inner circle and a glimmer of hope that the goalie might resume his career. But while the justice system may have spoken, the hockey world is far less ready to welcome him back with open arms.
For the Edmonton Oilers, the idea of adding Hart might have made sense on paper. Stuart Skinner remains their undisputed No. 1 goalie, but after an up-and-down postseason in which the Oilers fell just short of a Stanley Cup, management has explored ways to bolster the depth chart and ensure the team has options in net. Jack Campbell, once considered a major piece of the puzzle, has fallen off the radar due to injuries and inconsistency. Adding a reclamation project like Hart might have offered a cheap, potentially high-upside solution. However, the organization swiftly dismissed the notion behind closed doors, categorizing it as a non-starter due to both hockey and non-hockey reasons.
Insiders suggest the decision wasn’t made lightly. There were conversations—initially sparked by the idea of low-risk, high-reward signings—but as the Oilers dug into the details, they decided against opening that door. Some within the team pointed to the cultural rebuild taking place inside the locker room—a group that has become increasingly tight-knit and focused under the leadership of Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl, and new head coach Kris Knoblauch. Others cited concerns about potential media distractions, public backlash, and the unpredictable emotional weight that Hart’s return would bring. Even without legal culpability, Hart remains a controversial figure, and the Oilers are not in a position to gamble on off-ice uncertainty at such a critical juncture in their championship window.
This stance from Edmonton speaks volumes about the current temperature around Hart’s comeback league-wide. Though some teams are rumored to be monitoring the situation quietly, none have made public overtures. The goalie’s camp has reportedly reached out to multiple clubs, emphasizing his cleared legal status and improved physical condition. He’s been training rigorously since early spring, hoping to seize a training camp invite, even if it means starting on a PTO or heading overseas temporarily. But the phone hasn’t rung the way it once did, and Hart’s camp is beginning to grasp the uphill battle he faces—not from courts or arbitrators, but from public perception and risk-averse front offices.
The Oilers’ outright disinterest sends a broader signal. If a contending team in need of goaltending help—one that has historically been aggressive in acquiring talent—won’t even entertain the idea, what does that mean for the rest of the NHL? In today’s league, optics matter as much as statistics. Teams are more conscious than ever about how decisions resonate with fanbases, how they align with broader league values, and how they affect internal team dynamics. Hart’s situation is a prime example of this shift. He may be legally innocent, but the specter of his case lingers. And in a sport trying to improve its image, especially around issues of accountability and culture, even association with controversy can be enough to tank a deal.
There’s also the very real question of performance. Hart’s last seasons with the Flyers were erratic. Injuries and inconsistency plagued him, and while some blamed Philadelphia’s porous defense, others questioned whether Hart had lost some of the sharpness that once defined him. A year away from game action doesn’t help answer those doubts—it magnifies them. Scouts and GMs haven’t seen him in live competition since the allegations surfaced. Until they do, any talk of his return remains speculative at best. In a league where every roster spot is precious, betting on someone with rust, baggage, and question marks is more than just bold—it’s potentially reckless.
For Hart, the options now are dwindling. The KHL remains an avenue, albeit a complicated one for a Canadian player given the political climate and its distance from NHL scouts. European leagues like the SHL or Liiga could offer playing time, but with limited upside and drastically lower salaries. There’s also the ECHL or a fringe AHL opportunity, but those would represent a dramatic fall for a player once seen as Canada’s next great goalie. In all likelihood, Hart needs a perfect storm—an injury to a starting goalie, a team in need of a plug-and-play option, and a front office willing to absorb the PR hit. But banking on that trifecta is more hope than plan.
The NHL is no stranger to second chances. Players with complicated pasts have made comebacks, some successful, others fleeting. But Hart’s case is unique in its combination of off-ice gravity and on-ice ambiguity. He isn’t returning as a clear-cut No. 1, and he isn’t doing so with a clean slate in the eyes of fans or executives. Every potential signing comes with a press release, a PR strategy, and a contingency plan. That’s a high barrier to entry for someone still looking to prove he deserves another shot.
Meanwhile, the Oilers press forward. With Skinner entrenched and a renewed focus on rounding out the roster with veterans committed to the team-first ethos, there’s little patience for distractions or reclamation projects. General Manager Jeff Jackson and head coach Kris Knoblauch are aligned in their desire to keep the locker room focused and drama-free. Their rejection of the Hart idea is less about him personally and more about maintaining momentum. Edmonton has been knocking on the door for years; they don’t intend to let anything disrupt that pursuit now.
Hart’s journey may not end here. Time has a way of changing perspectives, and a season or two of strong play overseas could help reset the narrative. But for now, he remains on the outside looking in, a cautionary tale of how quickly the NHL’s doors can close—even when the courts say otherwise. Edmonton was never going to be the landing spot, and if they’re not interested, other teams may follow suit.
Whether Hart can rewrite his story depends on more than just legwork and goaltending drills. It will require patience, resilience, and a bit of good fortune. But if Edmonton’s response is any indication, the road ahead will be long—and lined with skepticism. For now, Carter Hart remains a free agent, not because he isn’t eligible, but because the game—and the culture around it—may not be ready to welcome him back just yet.
