The potential return of Carter Hart to the NHL is a hot topic, with the Philadelphia Flyers reportedly among a number of teams vying for the goaltender's services. After being found not guilty in July 2025 of sexual assault charges stemming from a 2018 Hockey Canada case, Hart's eligibility to play in the NHL remains under review by the league.

Several teams have been linked to Hart, including the Edmonton Oilers, Pittsburgh Penguins and Buffalo Sabres. Anthony SanFilippo reported that as many as a dozen teams might be interested in signing Hart. However, the Flyers' interest in bringing back their former franchise goalie adds an intriguing layer to the situation.

Hart last played in the NHL on January 20, 2024. During his six-year NHL career with the Flyers, Hart has accumulated a 96-93-29 record, with a .906 save percentage and a 2.94 goals-against average. In 227 NHL games, he has proven himself a reliable young goalie.

The Flyers' current goalie situation is crowded, with the additions of Dan Vladar, Sam Ersson and Ivan Fedotov, plus prospects like Carson Bjarnason and Aleksei Kolosov. This makes the Flyers' reported interest in Hart all the more notable. If Hart is cleared to play, the Flyers would need to make adjustments to accommodate him. One option could be for Hart to start in the AHL to regain his form before returning to the NHL.

According to NHL insider David Pagnotta, several teams are interested in Hart, but are waiting for the NHL's decision on his eligibility. The NHL and the NHLPA are in disagreement regarding Hart's eligibility, further complicating the situation.

Given the Flyers' existing goaltending depth, it remains to be seen how Hart would fit into their long-term plans. The team may be considering a contingency plan that allows Hart to ease back into competition without immediately taking on a starting role. This would allow him to regain his form and timing in a lower-pressure environment.

Ultimately, Hart is expected to sign with the team that offers him the best deal. Several teams may offer Hart a professional tryout (PTO). This would allow Hart to join a team for training camp and allow both sides to assess the fit before signing a contract.