Could The Edmonton Oilers Land Carter Hart?

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Dylan Robillard
June 6, 2023 (1:53 PM)

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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.

Daniel Briere, General Manager of The Philadelphia Flyers 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.

The Flyers made a massive trade, sending Ivan Provorov packing this morning. And now, Carter Hart is on his way out.

Now with that in mind, Ken Holland Edmonton Oilers' GM 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 current Oilers netminder Stuart Skinner, 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.

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 trade 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.

MOCK TRADE:

PHI Receives:
Cody Ceci
Jack Campbell (50% Retained)
2023 2nd Round Pick (EDM)
2024 1st Round Pick (EDM)
2025 1st Round Pick (EDM)

EDM Receives:
Carter Hart

Now, it may look like the Edmonton Oilers have to fork over a lot for Carter Hart. Which they do, but Hart is a very solid goaltender. Putting 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.

With Carter Hart back stopping such a powerhouse offensive team, that still carries a strong defensive core; there is no question the Oilers aren't in the Stanley Cup conversation talks for years to come.