Now Cleared, Carter Hart Could Be the Goaltending Solution Edmonton Oilers Have Waited For—And They Should Act Fast
The Edmonton Oilers should rush to sign recently acquitted goaltender Carter Hart. This isn’t just about a young goalie re-entering the NHL after a lengthy legal process—this is about opportunity, timing, and the urgent need for stability in a position that has haunted Edmonton for years. With Hart’s name cleared, the path is now open for a franchise to give him a second chance. For the Oilers, who remain tantalizingly close to a Stanley Cup but still lack a proven long-term option in goal, this is the kind of opportunity that cannot be ignored.
Goaltending has been the Oilers’ Achilles’ heel for much of the 21st century. From Dwayne Roloson’s magic in 2006 to the inconsistency of Mikko Koskinen, the brief highs of Cam Talbot, the overpaid gamble on Jack Campbell, and the raw promise of Stuart Skinner, Edmonton has cycled through options without ever truly solving the puzzle. The franchise has built a juggernaut up front with Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, strengthened its blue line with players like Evan Bouchard and Mattias Ekholm, and improved structurally under coaches like Jay Woodcroft and Kris Knoblauch. But every deep playoff run has seemed to come down to one glaring question: can the goaltending hold?
Skinner is developing, but he’s still unproven under postseason pressure. Campbell has fallen out of favor and struggled to rediscover his form even in the AHL. The Oilers, so close to glory, know they cannot afford another season of goaltending uncertainty. Enter Carter Hart—a 25-year-old with NHL experience, a strong track record when healthy and mentally focused, and now, with the legal clouds cleared, an open runway to resurrect his career.
Before his legal issues derailed his career, Hart was one of the most promising young goaltenders in the NHL. Drafted 48th overall by the Philadelphia Flyers in 2016, Hart was heralded as the franchise’s savior in net—a position that had been just as cursed in Philadelphia as it’s been in Edmonton. In his first two full NHL seasons, Hart looked the part. He posted a .917 save percentage in 2018–19 and a .914 in 2019–20, even helping the Flyers to a playoff series win during the 2020 bubble. His lateral movement, quick glove, poise in the crease, and calm demeanor all pointed to a future star.
However, injuries, inconsistency, and eventually legal troubles threw his career into disarray. After being charged in connection with an alleged incident involving members of the 2018 Canadian World Junior team, Hart stepped away from hockey while the case worked its way through the legal system. In July 2025, he was officially acquitted, with all charges dropped. Now, for the first time in over a year, Hart is eligible to sign with an NHL team. He’s still young. He’s still talented. And he’s going to come cheap—at least for now.
That’s what makes this such a critical window for the Oilers. They need a goaltender. Hart needs a team willing to give him a chance. It’s a situation where both sides stand to benefit immensely. For Edmonton, it’s a low-risk, high-reward move. Hart isn’t going to command a massive deal coming off his time away from the game. A one-year “prove-it” contract in a winning environment could be exactly what he needs to get his career back on track—and exactly what the Oilers need to solidify the most volatile position on their roster.
Critics might argue that Hart hasn’t played meaningful NHL hockey in over a year and will need time to get back into form. That’s fair. But Edmonton has Skinner to help carry the load early. Hart wouldn’t be expected to play 60 games or immediately steal the No. 1 job. What he would provide is competition, depth, and the potential to stabilize the position down the stretch and into the playoffs. And if he does regain his previous form, the Oilers would have found a long-term solution to a decades-long problem.
Others may question the optics of signing a player recently involved in a legal case, even if he was acquitted. That, too, is a legitimate concern. But in professional sports—and especially in the NHL—players who are cleared legally are given second chances. The key is transparency and due diligence. Edmonton would need to make sure Hart is mentally ready, physically prepared, and fully committed to restarting his career the right way. It would also require clear communication with fans and the broader hockey community. But the precedent exists, and if handled correctly, the signing can be both morally sound and strategically wise.
From a purely hockey standpoint, Hart has tools you can’t teach. His size (6’2”), his tracking ability, and his reflexes are elite when he’s locked in. He has played behind some poor Flyers defenses and still managed to steal games. In a better-structured environment like Edmonton—with a strong coaching staff, a winning culture, and a motivated locker room—he could thrive. More importantly, he knows what’s at stake. This isn’t just another contract for Hart. It’s a chance to reclaim everything he once had: a starting role, league-wide respect, and the potential for greatness.
And Edmonton offers more than just a contract—it offers context. Few cities would embrace a redemption arc quite like Edmonton. The fans know pain. They’ve lived through disappointment and heartbreak. But they also know loyalty, resilience, and second chances. If Hart plays well and proves he belongs, the city will embrace him. In a town that has seen every kind of goaltending disaster, a stabilizing presence—even one that comes with risk—is worth exploring.
On top of that, the Oilers’ window is now. Not next year. Not two seasons from now. With McDavid and Draisaitl both nearing the end of their current contracts, every season is a referendum on the franchise’s ability to win. The team cannot afford to waste another year due to preventable shortcomings in the crease. Signing Hart adds depth, upside, and optionality. If he works out, Edmonton becomes even more dangerous. If he doesn’t, the cost is minimal and the fallback options remain in place.
The rest of the league won’t sleep on Hart forever. Eventually, a GM will take the leap. A team will offer him a deal. The Oilers should make sure they are that team. In a league with razor-thin margins and fierce competition, the bold moves are often the ones that define eras. Carter Hart might not be a guarantee, but he represents a calculated risk that aligns perfectly with Edmonton’s urgent needs and long-term aspirations.
In the modern NHL, you don’t wait for solutions—you chase them. The Oilers have an opportunity to acquire a goalie with legitimate starting-caliber ability, at a discount, during a season in which the Cup is a realistic goal. There is no reason to hesitate. If Carter Hart is ready to play, if he’s focused and physically prepared, Edmonton should be first in line to sign him.
For Carter Hart, this is the beginning of a second act. For the Edmonton Oilers, it could be the final piece in a puzzle that has eluded them for decades. Timing matters in hockey. And right now, the timing couldn’t be better.
The Oilers should move swiftly. Because if they wait, someone else will capitalize—and they might be watching that team lift the Cup come June.
