The latest Carter Hart rumors link him to the Edmonton Oilers. Is a high-risk, low-cost contract the answer to their Stanley Cup prayers?
The dust has barely settled on a crushing Stanley Cup Final loss, and the rumors around the Edmonton Oilers are already growing deafening. The team’s fatal flaw—inconsistent goaltending—was laid bare on the world’s biggest stage, and GM Stan Bowman knows he can’t run it back with the same tandem. But with a barren free-agent market and exorbitant trade prices, where do you find a legitimate starter? The answer is the single most polarizing and high-upside name available: Carter Hart.
Yes, Carter Hart is now an unrestricted free agent after the Philadelphia Flyers cut ties last year, and the Carter Hart rumors are pointing north to Edmonton. For a franchise in absolute win-now mode, this isn’t just smoke; it’s a potential franchise-altering fire. The Oilers need a No. 1 goalie with elite potential, and Hart needs a team willing to give him a shot to reclaim his career. It’s a convergence of desperation and opportunity that could reshape the Western Conference.
Why the Oilers and Hart Are a Perfect, High-Stakes Match
Let’s be blunt: the Oilers’ championship window with Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl is right now. They can’t afford another season of hoping for league-average goaltending. Hart, despite his time away from the game, represents a gamble with a massive payoff. At just 26, he possesses the raw talent that made him one of the most hyped goaltending prospects in a decade. Before his career was derailed, he had a career save percentage of .906 and a goals-against average of 2.94 on some truly porous Flyers teams, proving he could handle a heavy workload and steal games.
The most tantalizing part of this rumor is the potential contract. Hart is in no position to demand a massive payday. The chatter suggests a one-year, “prove-it” deal in the range of a $1 million AAV. For that price, the Oilers could acquire a goalie with a higher ceiling than anyone available via trade, without surrendering the valuable assets it would take to acquire a true #1 goalie. It’s the ultimate low-risk, high-reward play for a team that is right up against the salary cap. It’s a move that could either implode or, just maybe, be the final piece that pushes Edmonton over the top.
Your Hub for Oilers News, Pools, and Game Info
Looking to stay on top of the latest Edmonton Oilers news and breaking rumors like this? Our site is your number one source. We also feature the best Online Hockey Pool for cash prizes, letting you put your hockey knowledge to the test. And if you’re ever wondering how to watch the Oilers game on TV today, we’ve got the schedules and broadcast info you need. For all this and more, make sure to add nhltraderumor.com to your bookmarks and sign up for our newsletter below!