The Philadelphia Flyers started their off-season reasonably quickly than before Make a triple trade With the Los Angeles Kings and Columbus Blue Jackets, with the participation of defender Ivan Provorov and goalkeeper Cal Petersen. They also announced that they were willing to transfer goaltender Carter Hart, a 24-year-old who was thought to be the franchise’s next star in the net. Trade rumors tying Hart to the Montreal Canadiens have been around since last year’s trade deadline, but have been gaining steam since the Flyers’ announcement. However, Canadians should be careful and make sure they get it at the right price if they are interested.
Hart still has great potential
The Flyers drafted Hart 48th overall in 2016. He was the top goaltender in that draft and helped lead Canada to the gold medal at the World Junior Championships. He was also a standout with the Everett Silvertips in the Western Hockey League (WHL), winning 116 of 190 games with a 2.01 goals against average (GAA) and a 0.927 save percentage (SV%). He joined the Flyers as a 20-year-old and excelled in his first two seasons, winning 40 of 74 games with an SV% of 0.917 and .914, respectively.
However, over the past three seasons, Hart has struggled, which surprised many, considering he’s been consistent in his first two seasons and was solid going into the 2020 NHL playoffs when he won nine of 14 games with a 0.926 SV%. But he hasn’t had a successful season since 2019-20, and his GAA has been under 3.00 once, with 2.94 this season; SV% also struggled, down from 907 again last season.
There could be several reasons for his declining production, including that Philadelphia hasn’t been a good team the past three seasons. However, another reason could be that Hart was overreacting. More likely, it has to do with the team’s struggles, and he may not have fully recovered from the abdominal strain he suffered in 2019-20 when he returned. A change of scenery may be just what he needs to reinvent his career.
Canadian Montembeault has stepped up this season
The Canadians have a long history of goalkeepers such as Jack Plant, Ken Dryden, Patrick Roy and, more recently, Carey Price. Hart had stellar potential When he was drafted, and even though this star has faded, he still has good potential. The Hab has also been a success With another goalkeeper, Samuel Montembolt, who changed his game this season. Even though the Canadiens struggled and had several injuries in 2022-23, he consistently helped the team win – or at least gave them a chance.
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The Florida Panthers drafted Montembolt in the third round in 2015, and Montreal took him off waivers in the 2021-22 season to add depth at goal. He struggled in his first season with the Canadiens, which was also one of the worst seasons in franchise history. In 38 games, he had an SV% of . 891 and won only eight games. With Price’s severe injuries, it seemed his career was over, and goalkeeping for the Canadiens would be a weak point for the next few years. Jake Allen was brought on as a temporary replacement until they figured out the situation in the net, but Montembeault stepped up last season and proved he could be the goalkeeper of the future.
In 40 games this season, he’s had an SV% of 0.901 and has won 16 games behind a very young and inexperienced defense. Montreal still sits fifth in the standings, but his efforts haven’t gone unnoticed. He was selected to play for Team Canada at the World Championships and assisted captain Canada to a gold medalgoing 6-1 by 0.936 SV%.
Canadians should only buy Hart at the right price
Canadians must address their goal in the future; Allen has two more seasons left under contract, and Montembolt two more. If they decide to acquire Hart, one of them must be transferred; If it’s Allen, they must sign Montembeault or risk losing him in free agency. Montembolt is two years older than Hart and has more potential, and with the former continuing to improve while the latter slumping, this could be a difficult decision for Canadiens GM Kent Hughes.
Many on social media believed the Canadian Panthers’ late first-round pick and prospect would be enough to take on Hart. But his recent struggles and the Flyers’ willingness to move him when they should rebuild begs the question of whether he’s worth it. With Montembeault playing just as much as Hart on a team just as bad, do the Canadiens need Hart? The upcoming draft also has high-level prospects, and the Canadiens have three picks in the first 38. They can choose a goaltender with one of those first three picks or choose an overage goaltender later in the draft in hopes that they can bolster the team. Target shooting depth.
If they do not trade Hart, the team must sign Monimbolt to a long-term deal to cover the team until they develop a goaltender in the system or acquire another youngster. Hart has one year left at $3.97 million and will be a restricted free agent (RFA) after next season, giving Montreal some control over his future. In contrast, Monty is an unrestricted free agent (UFA) and can sign anywhere, which could put the Canadiens down another goaltending hole.
Adding Hart can give the team a solid one-two punch to the net and help rebuild the team. It could also be a disaster if Hart continues to fall behind. We know Hughes will do what’s best for the team. This is a pivotal chapter for Montreal, and every move must be well calculated for future success.