Before Carter Hart joined the Vegas Golden Knights, the team was searching for anything in net. They didn't have their starter, Adin Hill, due to a lower-body injury. They also saw Carl Lindbom look relatively raw in net and Akira Schmid struggle with the newfound starter role. After all, the latter isn't meant to take on a heavier workload.
Fans were worried about him coming in, especially after not playing hockey for nearly two years. Would he be a reliable goaltender or part of the neverending carousel that plagued Las Vegas like the fake monks with the beads? Well, it seems that the latter has happened, with Hart becoming a points-generating machine.
The former Flyers goaltender has gotten points for the Golden Knights in all five starts this season (3-0-2), posting a GAA of 2.61 and a save percentage of .917. He's even won for Vegas in a shootout, something that happens as often as seeing a casino with free parking all year round (seriously, we need more of that).
The sudden uprising has created a tidal wave in the Golden Knights' organization. For one, it does wonders for Kelly McCrimmon, who suddenly looks like an absolute genius again. It also raises a bigger conversation regarding the positional future for Vegas. What does this all mean in the end?
Carter Hart has literally saved the Vegas Golden Knights' offseason for Kelly McCrimmon
Let's be completely honest for a second. The past offseason hasn't been too kind to Kelly McCrimmon. Jeremy Lauzon can't stop staying out of the penalty box and Colton Sissons hasn't lit up the score sheet (despite doing other things well). Even some fans started to turn on Mitch Marner (THAT Mitch Marner) for not scoring enough goals.
So, what does McCrimmon do as a last-ditch effort? Get Carter Hart. Sure, this move didn't happen during the summer months for Vegas. However, it's still a move for 2025-26 nonetheless, providing much-needed stability in net for a patchwork position.
Lo and behold, the 27-year-old has made McCrimmon look like a genius. Suddenly, fans are wondering whether it's worth keeping Hill around for the long term when Hart's playing spectacular hockey. They're also wondering, "Why didn't we find a guy like this sooner?"
Believe it or not, there's a plausible case for keeping Hart around. He has some factors that play into his favor, especially if he continues his current trajectory for Vegas, inconveniences be d*mned.
How Carter Hart has an edge over Adin Hill
Looking at Hart (6'2"), he doesn't stand at 6'5" as Hill does. That means he relies solely on hockey sense, positioning, and a quick glove to make the magic happen. Meanwhile, Hill just has to fart to move in the net. Still, Hart has some things going for him.
First, he has more experience as a starting goaltender than Hill does. In Hill's nine years as a goaltender, he's started 178 total games. Hart? He's started 222 in his seven years in the NHL. The former Flyers netminder knows more about carrying a heavier workload than Hill does, especially since he has started 40 or more games in net three times in his career (Hill has only one such season, which came in last year's campaign).
There's another key upside to bringing Hart in, aside from his experience as an actual starter: Hart's 27 years old. With Hill at the ripe ol' age of 29 with an injury history to boot, the former Flyers netminder would be a younger alternative that could take the starter role for Vegas. Fans know how McCrimmon is about younger alternatives as well, which plays in Hart's favor.
Some fans were hesitant on bring the former 2016 second-round pick over to the Vegas Golden Knights this season. Obviously, there were extraciricullar rumblings that came with his name. But the rink rust rumors came with that, leaving fans wondering if he'd struggle early.
Well, it appears that the 27-year-old has dispelled those rumors from the air. He's not done yet, either. He's also eyeing the starting goaltending position and a long-term deal, which he could actually get. That could lead to greater things for the netminder, including becoming the answer that Vegas has desperately needed in net.