If Flyers fans are being honest, they are tired of being told about the "goalie situation". After all, it's all they've heard for close to 30 years now. "They're weak in net." We know. A generation has grown up knowing this.
This season, at least goaltender-wise, doesn't look particularly promising (unless the defense is vastly improved in front of them). Dan Vladar is next into the meat grinder while Sam Ersson seeks to prove he still deserves a shot. Meanwhile, Ivan Fedotov and Alexsei Kolosov should be stashed away in the AHL, with Carson Bjarnason waiting to get his shot.
Vladar arrived this year as the Flyers tried to find a free agent goalie they could afford, but there weren't many available to sign. Fun fact: Few teams want to trade a good goalie. Go figure! Since Vladar has been mostly a backup, many question if this truly was the best move for the Flyers.
Recently, there have been rumors that the Flyers have been sniffing around Carter Hart. Since taking a leave of absence in January of 2024 to deal with some serious legal issues, he became a free agent that summer. He, along with the other players, remains ineligible to play in the NHL after they were found not guilty in court. If the NHL were to let him back in, should the Flyers take a chance?
It should be an easy no for the Flyers
Legal issues aside, though they play a big role as well, there are more than a few other reasons why the Flyers should stay away from Hart.
First, let's deal with his health. It's harder to say "a goalie missed X amount of days" because they don't play every day like a forward or defender might. For most, if you can get between 50-60 games, that's pretty dang good. Hart, however, has missed time due to: abdominal strains, various lower body injuries, upper body injuries, concussion, back injury, knee injury, mid-body injury, COVID, and a variety of "illnesses". He's never been truly healthy. The Flyers don't need that.
Next, let's compare the stats between Hart, Vladar, and Ersson.
Games Played | Wins | Losses | Shutouts | GAA | Save % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Hart | 227 | 96 | 93 | 6 | 2.94 | .906 |
Ersson | 110 | 51 | 39 | 7 | 2.98 | .888 |
Vladar | 105 | 49 | 34 | 4 | 2.99 | .895 |
Did you notice anything? There isn't that much difference between them. Hart's been playing longer, especially as a starter. However, Ersson has more shutouts while playing in half the games. Valdar isn't far off either.
Bringing in Hart wouldn't make sense. Valdar and Ersson are rather equal in talent to Hart, minus the baggage. You wouldn't have to create a roster spot, nor would you be blocking the pipeline for Bjarnason.
Hart was an ok goalie, but he never became the "savior in net" he was built up to be. He had a multitude of health issues. He was inconsistent and streaky in the net. While he was better than some netminders the Flyers have had over the last 30 years, that doesn't mean a reunion should be in the mix.
Vladar and Ersson deserve to show what they've got until they show they've got nothing. There is still an outside chance that Fedotov and Kolosov could figure things out in the AHL/NHL and could end up becoming viable goalie solutions. Likewise, the prospect pipeline for Bjarnason and Yegor Zavragin should remain open and not be blocked.
There isn't any roster space for Hart, nor is there the cap space. It's better to take a chance on what the Flyers have than add a distraction they just don't need. The Flyers have had enough drama over the last few seasons. The team doesn't need any more.
They need to move on and try to improve with what they have now.