Philadelphia Flyers: Bernie Parent has huge praise for Carter Hart

Bernie Parent sees a Flyers goaltender that is even better than he was at a young age.

Bernie Parent played a big role in why the Flyers have two Stanley Cups in their franchise history. He was the backbone of that team. Sound familiar? The Flyers may finally have another goaltender that they can say that about.

Carter Hart has developed quickly into a franchise goaltender. He burst onto the scene in his first season and has only also solidified himself, despite a few hiccups in his sophomore season. But he can ready to do in his first postseason action.

He was this close to earning a shutout against the Bruins, the first time he had ever appeared in an NHL playoff game. He shut down a potent Boston offense that featured the Rocket Richard co-winner in David Pastrnak. And not to mention one of the most dangerous trios in the game.

He became the youngest goaltender to win a playoff game. That record had been held by Pete Peeters when he was nearly 23-years-old. Hart was almost 22 when he earned the victory against Boston on Sunday.

Quite the accomplishment for a player at just 21-years-old. And according to Bernie Parent, Hart has something special.

“Let me tell you something: I watch this kid and I’m amazed at his thinking and his anticipation about what’s going on in front of him. He’s incredible. He reads the plays in front of him and knows where the opening is, and that helps him cover up things. At 21, to be able to do that is just incredible.”

Getting that kind of praise from someone is one thing. But when it happens to be a Flyers legend, it becomes much more than just simple praise. Parent is someone who knows a thing or two about goaltending.

This was a goaltender who had a shutout in the cup clinching game back in 1974. A goaltender that ended up doing the same thing again to win the second of back-to-back cups in 1975.

So when Parent essentially says Hart is better than he was at that age, it is certainly something to listen to. Hart has a long way to go to back all of that up. But his play against Boston certainly sways one to believe the high praise from Parent.