After nearly two years away from NHL action, goaltender Carter Hart is officially eligible to return to the ice - and his comeback could come as soon as Tuesday night when the Vegas Golden Knights host the Chicago Blackhawks.
Hart was recalled by Vegas on Sunday, just ahead of the end of his league-mandated suspension, which expired Monday. That cleared the path for his first potential NHL appearance since January 20, 2024, when he last suited up for the Philadelphia Flyers.
It’s been a long, winding road back for the 25-year-old netminder, who was one of five former members of Canada’s World Juniors team acquitted of sexual assault charges earlier this year. While the legal process cleared him, the NHL still handed down a suspension, citing a failure to meet the league’s standard of “the highest level of moral integrity.”
Now, with that chapter behind him, Hart is focused squarely on the ice - and the opportunity that lies ahead in Vegas.
“I’ve worked my a- off to get back to this point,” Hart said after Monday’s practice. “For me, the key to life is preparation. I’ve done everything I can to be ready, and I’ll be prepared if I get the call tomorrow.”
Head coach Bruce Cassidy didn’t confirm whether Hart will get the nod against Chicago, but the signs are there. Hart has spent the past two weeks on a conditioning loan with the AHL’s Henderson Silver Knights, where he logged three games and got a much-needed taste of live action. The numbers - a 1-2-0 record with a .839 save percentage - won’t turn heads, but that wasn’t the point.
“The purpose of Henderson was to get him back into live reps,” Cassidy explained. “You can practice with NHL shooters, but traffic around the net, screens - that kind of stuff is hard to replicate. We’re less focused on the results and more on getting him used to game situations again.”
For Hart, those reps were invaluable. After spending over a year and a half practicing without playing in a real game, he finally got to face unpredictable, unscripted hockey again - the kind that can’t be simulated in drills.
“You get different scenarios that you can’t replicate in practice,” Hart said. “Broken plays, screens, tips, layered traffic - things like that.
The first game, I was a little nervous. The second game was good.
The third game, there were some weird bounces. It was kind of a weird game, but it just felt good to be playing again.”
Vegas brought Hart in on a two-year, $4 million deal back in October, betting on a fresh start and a return to form for a goaltender who’s shown flashes of brilliance in the past. Across six seasons with the Flyers, Hart posted a 96-93-29 record with a .906 save percentage and a goals saved above expected mark of -11.92 - a stat that reflects both his talent and the ups and downs of playing behind a rebuilding team.
Now, he joins a Golden Knights squad that needs help in the crease. With starter Adin Hill still sidelined after a lower-body injury in late October, Vegas has leaned on Akira Schmid and rookie Carl Lindbom.
The results have been mixed. Since Hill went down, the Golden Knights have gone 6-6-6 with a team save percentage of .876 - eighth worst in the NHL over that stretch.
To make room for Hart, the team reassigned Lindbom to the AHL, setting up a tandem between Hart and Schmid until Hill returns. Cassidy emphasized that both goalies will see action, but Hart will get every opportunity to find his rhythm.
“Akira has played well too, so we have to be mindful that he has to stay sharp,” Cassidy said. “I’m sure you’ll see a lot of both goalies, but Carter has waited a long time to play, so he’s definitely going to get his share of starts.”
The timing of Hart’s return is key. After Tuesday’s home game against Chicago, the Golden Knights hit the road for a five-game swing through New York, New Jersey, Philadelphia, and Columbus - a stretch that could provide Hart with a steady workload and a chance to settle in.
Cassidy isn’t expecting perfection out of the gate, and he’s realistic about the adjustment period ahead.
“We’re going to have to be patient, no matter what the result is,” he said. “We’re all hoping he’ll go out there and be terrific his first game, but missing that much time, I’m going to expect rust. In order to shake off the rust, you have to play.”
For Hart, it’s not just about shaking off the rust - it’s about reclaiming his place in the league.
“Obviously, there will be nerves,” he admitted. “But that’s just because I care so much.
At the end of the day, those nerves turn into excitement. It’s a game I’ve played my whole life.
I’ve played a lot of hockey in the NHL. I’ve been here before.
I haven’t played in a while, but it’s going to feel good to get back out there and get things rolling here in Vegas.”
The road back has been long. Now, Carter Hart is finally at the doorstep of his NHL return. Whether it’s Tuesday night or sometime soon, expect him to make the most of it.