If The Flyers Trade Carter Hart, Are The Edmonton Oilers Front Runners?

This article is completely hypothetical and I hope it doesn't come down to this, because i'd hate to see the Flyers pass up on a franchise goalie. But at the same time I do want to see Carter Hart have a shot at the Stanley Cup one day. Either way, I say no. But the Oilers could be a very likely landing spot for the young 24-year-old and here's why:

After another unsuccessful year in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, the Edmonton Oilers biggest concern is still goaltending.

Even after signing star goalie Jack Campbell to a 5 year $25,000,000 contract, carrying an annual average salary of $5,000,000. This move doesn't seem to be panning out how the Oilers originally had hoped, especially, in the playoffs this year. As the Edmonton Oilers started their rookie goalie Stuart Skinner, over Jack Campbell who the team brought in for a shot at the Stanley Cup.

With things not going the Oilers way, in which the team actually took a step back from last years playoffs � from making the conference final in 2022 to barely getting into the semi-finals this season. It appears the team needs some change, and it might have to come from between the pipes again.

The Flyers General Manager Danny Briere, as everyone knows can't stress enough that the organization is in a full «rebuild». Also adding that the team will consider all trade proposals, meaning all players are on the table � the package just has to be right.

Danny Briere has also stated that he expects Carter Hart to be the Flyers goalie for years to come, but the organization is open to all options at the moment.

Now with that in mind, the Edmonton Oilers could be looking to trade for the young Edmonton native in order to have a solid goalie tandem. Meaning, trading Jack Campbell as apart of the deal.

Not to mention, Carter Hart and Stuart Skinner current Oilers netminder, are great friends as they had played hockey together since they were 13/14 years old.

Carter Hart was born and raised in Sherwood Park, being an Albertan; Hart played minor hockey with the Sherwood Park Squires of the Alberta Minor Midget AAA Hockey League. Winning Most Valuable Player (MVP) and Top Goaltender awards at the end of the 2013�14 AMMHL season, with a 1.92 goals against average (GAA) and a .937 save percentage (SV%).

First look at Carter Hart in an Edmonton Oilers Jersey � per @dyl2creative on Instagram:

With Hart being an Edmonton native, tied together with the Oilers being a cup contender for years to come. It only seems fitting for 24-year-old to play at home, and if not now maybe later in his career.

Carter Hart's current contract of $4.4 million, with a cap hit of $3.9 million coming to an end next summer, the netminder will be looking for a big pay increase going into the 2024-25 season. Most likely something similar to Jack Campbell's current contract with the Oilers, may be a little less but definitely in the ballpark.

The Edmonton Oilers, unlike the Philadelphia Flyers would have the money to pay Carter Hart. With $5,970,000 million in cap to work with, plus the available deadline cap space of $27,760,500 million. The only thing the Edmonton Oilers would have to do in the deal would be to retain some of Jack Campbell's contract, which is to be expected. Other trade pieces involved are Cody Ceci, as the Flyers desperately need help on the back-end. The deal would also see that Philadelphia gets a couple draft picks, helping improve their rebuild. The Oilers give up their 2023 2nd round draft pick (EDM), 2024 1st round draft pick (EDM), possibly even a 2025 1st rounder. Aswell, If a deal were to be done this off season the Oilers would also retain Carter Hart's RFA rights.

Carter Hart is a very solid goaltender which fans seem to forgot, as he's put together quite the career despite the team that has been in-front of him.

Another argument to be brought up is that the Oilers are looking for a playoff calibre goalie, but Carter Hart is capable. Despite the small sample size, in 2019-20, Carter Hart held a 9-5 record starting in all 14 games Playoff games � honing a 2.23 goals against average (GAA), .926 save percentage (SV%), and 2 shutouts. In the regular season Hart still holds a career .906 save percentage (SV%), again, alluding to the poor defensive team in-front of him.

Carter Hart deserves to back stop a strong cup contender, who has amazing offensive and great corresponding defence.