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Penguins Among Teams Watching Carter Hart's Possible NHL Comeback
The Pittsburgh Penguins have been looking for stability in net for years, and Carter Hart may be the answer they're looking for.
Hart, who last played in 2023-24, has been away from the game since. He is now possibly set to become eligible to return to the league, and the Pittsburgh Penguins may be an option.
Could Pittsburgh See Hart as a Future Goaltending Option?
The Penguins certainly don't have stability in net. Tristan Jarry has been far from the consistent netminder he was in his prime, and Alex Nedeljkovic has a ceiling to how much he can provide for the team.
Joel Blomqvist has a lot of potential, but he's definitely not yet a starter. Carter Hart could provide the Penguins an opportunity not only to get younger, but also to improve their team in what will be Evgeni Malkin's final season.
Reportedly, NHL players believe Carter Hart is already back in game shape:
Speaking to a few NHL players over the last few days who have been on the ice with Carter Hart here in Edmonton this summer do say he looks great & he's very focused on returning to the NHL & Hart believes he is able to help a team out.
His goalie mechanics from all reports look great from not playing these last few years. He's ready to get an opportunity to show others he can be a huge contributor to the success of the team.
His goalie mechanics from all reports look great from not playing these last few years. He's ready to get an opportunity to show others he can be a huge contributor to the success of the team.
Four Teams Linked as Goalie Eyes Return to NHL Action
Four teams have reportedly been interested in offering Hart a professional tryout contract, supposing he is cleared by Gary Bettman and the NHL.
Whether or not Pittsburgh is one of those teams involved is unknown, but it's hard not to see the logic behind a possible move.
Hart's road to the NHL may not be easy, but his fellow players appear to be on his side:
All the players we spoke to believe Carter Hart deserves to play in the league again & if he joined their team they believe he would be welcomed in with open arms by all the players.
We are expecting an announcement within the next few weeks on Hart's road back into the NHL as there are a lot of teams who would bring him in on a PTO as at least 4 organizations have told us if he's cleaned to return we will bring him in.
We are expecting an announcement within the next few weeks on Hart's road back into the NHL as there are a lot of teams who would bring him in on a PTO as at least 4 organizations have told us if he's cleaned to return we will bring him in.
Whether or not Hart returns to the NHL is unknown, but when there's smoke, there's fire.
| POLL | ||
AOUT 28 | 30 ANSWERS Penguins Among Teams Watching Carter Hart's Possible NHL Comeback Do you want your team to sign Carter Hart if he is cleared by the NHL? | ||
| Yes | 14 | 46.7 % |
| No | 16 | 53.3 % |
| List of polls | ||