Philadelphia Flyers Update
In a significant development for the Philadelphia Flyers, general manager Danny Briere announced on Tuesday that Carter Hart‘s agent has conveyed the goaltender’s decision to not rejoin the team when he becomes eligible to sign with NHL franchises next month. This news comes in the wake of Hart’s recent acquittal, along with four other players, of sexual assault charges linked to an incident involving Canada’s world junior team back in 2018.
NHL Clearance and Contract Eligibility
The NHL has cleared Hart and his fellow acquitted players—Michael McLeod, Dillon Dube, Cal Foote, and Alex Formenton—allowing them to resume their professional careers. The league announced that these players can sign contracts starting October 15 and participate in games as of December 1, following a judicial ruling that took place approximately seven weeks ago in London, Ontario. The Canadian government subsequently decided not to appeal the judge’s verdict, facilitating their reinstatement.
Statement from Danny Briere
Briere, while sharing this update, indicated that a return was off the table for Hart, stating, “His representative, Judd Moldaver, informed us that due to the events of the past year and a half, both Carter and his team believe it’s best to seek a fresh start elsewhere.”
This statement reflects the Flyers’ acknowledgment of the challenges the young goalkeeper faced.
Carter Hart’s Career Overview
Carter Hart had been seen as the Flyers’ goaltending cornerstone since his debut in 2018, earning 96 victories and recording six shutouts. Unfortunately, Hart’s trajectory with the franchise abruptly concluded in January 2024, shortly after the legal issues arose. Currently, Hart and the other players involved remain free agents after their previous contracts lapsed when their teams—New Jersey for McLeod and Foote, Calgary for Dube, and a European team for Formenton—opted not to renew them amid the scrutiny fueled by the allegations.
