If The Flyers Moved on From Hart…
By Scott Cole
![Mar 11, 2023; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Flyers goaltender Carter Hart (79) stretches on the ice before playing the Pittsburgh Penguins at PPG Paints Arena. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports Mar 11, 2023; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Flyers goaltender Carter Hart (79) stretches on the ice before playing the Pittsburgh Penguins at PPG Paints Arena. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/0a7985565dfd0a7072a225a182df67e8e815d8ef88ae2a970bbd1f3d3cd9c942.jpg)
These Might Work
Magnus Hellberg (32) is on a bad team (Detroit) but has put up decent numbers (2.97 GAA and .898 save percentage). Again, if you are looking to platoon someone with one of our goalies as part of a rotation, he might work out. Likewise, Winnipeg’s David Rittich (31) has a 2.66 GAA and a save percentage of .903. Those aren’t bad numbers.
Joonas Korpisalo (29) might be the best of the bunch, but may cost too much. However, he could give you some good years. Likewise, Ilya Samsonov (26) is young and in his prime, but might be more than the Flyers could afford.
The Hell-No Club
Alex Lyon (30) is a free agent. We know what he brings to the table. We don’t need to go there. Same with Anthony Stolarz (29), although it is nice to see that, when healthy, he’s become a decent backup.
Final Thoughts
So, when looking through this, the best we can get is Samsonov and Korpisalo; two goalies who can command a lot on the open market for a team looking for a stable netminder. The rest are a collection of over the hill guys or career backups. Either way, they are filling in the role until the “next one” comes to Philly.
And that’s the thing, isn’t it? We could trade Hart and get a whole bunch assets, provided he is healthy of course. And since Chuck Fletcher is gone, I feel more hope an optimism that Danny Briere could bring in something good instead of some sixth round picks and a broken down zamboni.
Trading Hart could be good, but it could set you back. Ask the Montreal Canadiens if they wish they should’ve kept Patrick Roy. Or Blackhawks fans if they should’ve kept Ed Belfour. You can always see trades better years into the future looking back. At the time, you make them, you never know.
Trading Hart is a risky proposal. If you can guarantee a great haul and future, which nobody can, it is good. If not, better keep him in house. The options that are out there are not super promising. And those that are good might cost you too much, financially, to make it worth your while.