Is Carter Hart Mollifying Rumors?

Another not so quiet secret is that since Danny Briere was named (Interim) GM and the Flyers there have been numerous reports that Carter Hart likely won't be "into" sticking around to see the rebuild through to the end.

But are reports legit and true, or just "stir the pot in Philly" type reports?

At the teams yearly "exit interview" media availability, the goalie himself seemed to suggest that they're "stir the pot" reports. While he did not come right out and say the reports are inaccurate - a la teammate Joel Farabee a few months back - he did point out that he's still only 24, loves playing in Philly, loves the organization, and believes Briere will be the GM that ultimately helps right the Flyers ship.

Now granted, Briere has yet to be named the official GM, and probably won't be until the Flyers ownership group finds and names a President of Hockey Ops. When the two executive positions(GM and POHO) are split( which has not been the case for the Flyers in quite awhile) the POHO is given the choice to choose their own GM. However, while Briere as GM is still not 100% set in stone, one thing that has been acknowledged throughout the hockey world is that he is the "leader" in this "competition" until he's not, and with no other names having yet entered the equation Flyers fans can just go along with the current assumption that Briere will officially be named the GM... Eventually.

Another thing Hart likely has going for him is that he's also not one to shy away from accountability. Why is that good? Aside from being something the players have lacked in recent seasons, it was a harping point for head coach John Tortorella during his end of season availability. He wouldn't go into names or how many players, but it was one reason he believes some need to be shipped out. Chances are if he believes Hart needs to be traded, accountability is not the characteristic he has an issue with.(Given this was the season with Hart's most played games, and how often Tortorella praised the goalie, there's nothing to suggest he has any reason for wanting the goalie traded, but for the sake of argument, if there is something he dislikes, accountability isn't it.)

Dating all the way back to his playing days in the WHL, Hart has always been a player that is quick to place blame on himself well before turning any blame on his teammates.(I can whole heartedly say I can't actually remember a time where he ever blamed his teammates; plenty where he's placed blame on himself, but none where he's placed blame on any teammates; even at times where some believed they deserved to be blamed.)

Despite being named this year's Team MVP, in his exit interview Hart remained humble and kept the exact same energy he had in Junior in his NHL year end exit interview, as he said "I can always be better. This summer I've got some things I need to work on and tidy up to get stronger and faster to be ready for next year, and hopefully for a push to still be playing this time next year."

Is there a chance he was just being professional and the reports are more true than stir the pot? Sure, there's always a chance. But while Hart did not come out and outright shut down the reports, he did seemingly make two things fairly clear, one: he loves the city and the organization, so if the Flyers do opt for a trade involving him it absolutely won't be because the 24-year-old doesn't want to be in Philly due to the organization "rebuilding", and two: more so due to his play and no necessarily what he said the chances are, if there is indeed a trade involving Hart, whatever the trade ends up being, it will be one that brings back decent assets for the Flyers future.