NHL teams seeking goaltending depth for the coming season are rumored to be turning to Carter Hart for help. Hart, 27, was among the five members of Canada's 2018 world junior team who were acquitted in July of sexual assault charges [https://thehockeynews.com/news/latest-news/all-five-former-world-junior-players-found-not-guilty-in-hockey-canada-sexual-assault-trial] stemming from an incident in London, Ont., in 2018. They are eligible to have contracts registered with the NHL by Oct. 15, but they won't be able to play until their suspensions end on Dec. 1. [https://thehockeynews.com/news/latest-news/reports-nhl-to-reinstate-players-acquitted-in-hockey-canada-sexual-assault-trial] It was rumored that the Philadelphia Flyers [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/philadelphia-flyers] might be interested in bringing back Hart, who played with them from 2018 to 2024. However, GM Daniel Briere indicated [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/philadelphia-flyers/latest-news/confirmed-carter-hart-will-not-be-signing-with-flyers] the goalie's representative informed them that it would be better for his client to have a fresh start elsewhere. The Edmonton Oilers were rumored to be a potential destination for Hart, but GM Stan Bowman ruled out [https://thehockeynews.com/news/latest-news/oilers-gm-says-carter-hart-is-not-an-option-addresses-mcdavid-s-future] that option. Meanwhile, Pittsburgh Penguins [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/pittsburgh-penguins] GM Kyle Dubas shrugged off [https://pittsburghhockeynow.com/kyle-dubas-puts-pittsburgh-penguibns-vets-on-notice-promises-young-players-spots-if/] a rumor linking his club to Hart. On Monday, Chris Johnston of The Athletic reported [https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6652631/2025/09/22/carter-hart-hurricanes-golden-knights-suitors-nhl/] Hart had narrowed down his choices to a handful of teams, including the Carolina Hurricanes [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/carolina-hurricanes] and Vegas Golden Knights [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/vegas-golden-knights]. Johnston indicated that Hart wants to find a destination where he can get playing time on a team built to succeed. The Golden Knights have qualified for the playoffs in seven of the last eight seasons, while the Hurricanes reached the Eastern Conference final in two of the last three seasons. The Utah Mammoth [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/utah] were also thought to be a suitor for Hart, but Johnston reported they're no longer in the bidding. Yegor Chinakhov (Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images) [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/2e4452c1-d881-4c04-869f-021c81068040.jpeg] Yegor Chinakhov (Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images) Speaking of the Oilers, Kurt Leavins of the Edmonton Journal reported some recent speculation [https://edmontonjournal.com/sports/hockey/nhl/cult-of-hockey/why-the-edmonton-oilers-stanley-cup-window-remains-open-beyond-this-year-9-things-connormcdavid-jakewalman?itm_source=cult-of-hockey] tied them to Yegor Chinakhov of the Columbus Blue Jackets [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/columbus-blue-jackets]. Chinakhov, 24, created a stir in July when his agent requested a trade [https://thehockeynews.com/news/latest-news/nhl-rumor-roundup-latest-on-max-pacioretty-evan-rodrigues-and-yegor-chinakhov], citing “misunderstandings” with Blue Jackets coach Dean Evason. The young forward is participating in training camp but hasn't rescinded his request [https://thehockeynews.com/news/latest-news/nhl-rumor-roundup-the-latest-on-martin-necas-rasmus-andersson-and-yegor-chinakhov]. Leavins observed that Chinakhov is in the final season of his two-year contract with a cap hit of $2.1 million. However, the Oilers' limited cap space and Chinakhov's injury history are among the reasons why he's unlikely to land in Edmonton. The Hockey News' Jason Newland recently reported Chinakhov seems open [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/columbus-blue-jackets/latest-news/yegor-chinakhov-open-to-staying-in-columbus] to staying with the Blue Jackets. In a response to a question from The Athletic's Aaron Portzline, Chinakhov told reporters he and Evason have a better understanding following a recent meeting between the two. For action-packed issues, access to the entire magazine archive and a free issue, subscribe to The Hockey News at THN.com/free [https://thehockeynews.store/products/print-subscription]. Get the latest news and trending stories by subscribing to our newsletter here [http://eepurl.com/i7OC4I]. And share your thoughts by commenting below the article on THN.com.
