Flyers give Hart new 3-year deal
Carter Hart came off his worst season as a pro in May outwardly retaining the confidence that had made him one of the NHL’s best goaltending prospects. It remains to be seen if that translates to better performances on the ice.
In the spirit of that waiting game, then, the Flyers issued a financial vote of confidence themselves, announcing Monday that Hart had been given a new threeyear, $11.9 million contract. Hart had been a pending restricted free agent who had been offered a qualifying offer worth a five percent salary hike for one year. Instead, Flyers GM Chuck Fletcher found enough room under the payroll cap to reach an equitable deal with Hart’s representatives.
That said, Hart - statistically the worst NHL starting goalie last season, his 9-11-5 mark in 27 appearances, with a 3.67 goalsagainst average and .877 saves percentage ranking him well be
low a good number of backup goalies, too - has plenty left to prove to reach what many perceive as his potential.
That’s true on the Wells Fargo Center ice and in the bank. Hart’s $3.97 million average annual salary places him 22nd among league goalies. He turns 23 on Friday, making him the second-youngest goalie out of the top 50 highest paid goaltenders (by AAV) on current NHL contracts.
Despite the strange slip in his game last season, then, Hart has plenty of time to not only prove himself, but improve on his next contract.
In his season exit interview in May, Hart said he was “looking forward to having a clean slate” for the upcoming season. “I believe in myself and I believe that I can be a top goaltender,” he added.
Hart’s numbers actually improved a bit toward season’s end, and a 2-1 shootout win over Pittsburgh on April 15 was one of his best performances of the season.
It also became his last outing of the season, as he was subsequently diagnosed with a sprained knee ligament, despite a celebration dance while coming off the ice after that game.
Despite appreciating Brian Elliott’s locker room leadership, the Flyers, noting their overall 3.46 GAA (29th out of 31 teams), opted to not sign the 36-year-old Elliott this summer. Unrestricted free agent Martin Jones, 31, was signed to a one-year, $2 million contract on July 28, winning the job over presumed top candidate Braden Holtby, a training partner and friend of Hart’s.
Signing Hart leaves the Flyers at a bit over $4 million in payroll cap space, with restricted free agent Travis Sanheim, who was also offered a qualifying offer, still without a new deal.