Author: IHM Team | Date: October 25, 2025
The Vegas Golden Knights have signed goaltender Carter Hart to a two-year, four million dollar contract. The deal carries an average annual value of two million dollars and comes eight days after Hart joined the team on a professional tryout.
Hart, 27, last played in the NHL for the Philadelphia Flyers during the 2023-24 season. He posted a 12-9-3 record with a 2.80 goals-against average, .906 save percentage and one shutout in 26 games before taking a leave of absence from the team on January 23.
Under League guidance, Hart and several other players involved in the 2018 Hockey Canada investigation were not eligible to sign NHL contracts before October 15 and are not eligible to play in NHL games before December 1. All five players accused in connection with that case were found not guilty. The NHL still called the original incident “deeply troubling and unacceptable,” and emphasized that its expectations for player conduct go beyond what is criminally prosecutable.
Hart said his focus is on rebuilding trust and getting back to playing meaningful hockey.
“It’s been a long road to get back to this point,” Hart said. “I’ve been out of the game for a year and a half. I’ve learned a lot, I’ve grown a lot. I’m excited to move forward. I want to show this community my true character and who I really am.”
Why Vegas Made This Move
Vegas is dealing with uncertainty in goal. Adin Hill, their number one, is week to week with a lower-body injury and has already exited two games this season. He is 1-0-2 with a 2.73 GAA and .888 save percentage.
In the meantime, the Golden Knights have leaned on Akira Schmid, who is 4-0-0 with a 2.57 GAA and .899 save percentage. He has held the crease and bought time, but the organization clearly wanted more insurance.
Head coach Bruce Cassidy said they are easing Hart in.
“He hasn’t played in a while and he needs work,” Cassidy said. “We all recognize that. He’ll get time with us, we’ll manage the plan as we go.”
Hart is eligible to play starting December 1. The first game on the schedule after that date is December 2 against the Chicago Blackhawks.
What Hart Says Now
Hart said physically he feels ready. He has been skating, working in controlled goalie sessions and staying in the gym, but admitted game pace is different.
“I feel great,” Hart said. “Practice and goalie skates are not the same as real game bullets. That will come. We have time to get ready for December 1.”
Inside the Room
The reaction from Vegas leadership has been supportive. Captain Mark Stone called Hart “a good goalie” and said the team is “happy to welcome him into our culture.” Jack Eichel said this is “a great place for him to just be a hockey player again.”
For Vegas, this is also culture management. They believe in their room. They believe they can absorb a high-profile signing without letting the noise get bigger than the hockey.
Coach Mark’s Comment
“This is all upside for Vegas,” said Coach Mark Lehtonen. “Low money, two-year term, proven NHL starter ceiling. If Hart settles in, this lets them manage Adin Hill’s workload, protect Akira Schmid and roll the hot hand. Most teams do not have that luxury.
The second layer is trust. When Vegas signs you, they are basically saying: we think you can exist in this room. Now it is on Hart to prove he is ready to just work, prepare and compete. If he looks anything close to his best form, this is a playoff move.”
Vegas is 5-0-2 and visits the Florida Panthers on Saturday. Hart will continue practicing with the team while he prepares for eligibility in December.