Philadelphia Flyers Goalie Carter Hart Takes Indefinite Leave
The Philadelphia Flyers have announced that goaltender Carter Hart is on an indefinite leave of absence from the team. As of now, the organization has not disclosed the specific reasons behind Hart's departure from the lineup.
Prior to his leave, Hart had secured 12 wins, suffered 9 losses, and was handed 3 overtime losses this season. He managed to uphold a goals-against average (GAA) of 2.80 and a save percentage of .906, which are respectable numbers for the netminder. Throughout the 26 games he played this season, Hart achieved one shutout, demonstrating his capability to dominate when in the crease.
Since January 10th, Hart had been sharing the starting role with fellow goalie Samuel Ersson, indicating a strategy by the Flyers to keep their goaltenders fresh. However, Hart's last appearance came on January 20, just prior to the announcement of his leave.
In response to Hart's absence, the Flyers have called up Cal Petersen from their American Hockey League affiliate, the Lehigh Valley Phantoms. Petersen's promotion will provide necessary depth at the goaltending position as the Flyers continue their campaign.
Flyers' Standing in the Metropolitan Division
Despite the setback of losing Hart, the Flyers remain competitive in the Metropolitan Division. They currently hold the second spot in the division, trailing five points behind the New York Rangers. Additionally, they maintain a slim one-point lead over the Carolina Hurricanes, making every upcoming game crucial as they vie for a strong playoff position.
Carter Hart's Career Overview
Hart, who has played 227 regular-season games with the Flyers, boasts a career GAA of 2.94 along with a save percentage of .906—mirroring his stats for the current season. Over the course of his tenure with the Flyers, Hart has recorded six shutouts.
Selected in the second round of the 2016 NHL Draft, Hart has made significant contributions to the team. Notably, during the 2019-20 season, he posted an impressive 2.42 GAA and a .914 save percentage. His performance that season was instrumental in helping the Flyers overcome the Montreal Canadiens in the 2020 Eastern Conference First Round.
Hart also set a record as the youngest goalie in Flyers history to achieve back-to-back playoff shutouts, a feat he accomplished during that same postseason run. Furthermore, he became the first NHL goalie to earn consecutive postseason shutouts since 2018, underscoring his potential and talent as a young goaltender in the league.
As Hart's contract nears its end, he is poised to become a restricted free agent, which could see him at the center of negotiations depending on his return and future performance.
Team and Player Reactions
The Flyers, through Daniel Briere, have stated, "The club will have no further comment at this time," keeping matters private and allowing Hart the space he requires during his leave.
Ersson, who is expected to take on a greater role in Hart's absence, expressed his readiness to step up: "I just do my thing. Like I’ve said all year, I'm ready whenever they call upon my name to go in and play. That's all I can think about."
Morgan Frost, reflecting the sentiment within the team, conveyed support for Ersson: "I'm not going to comment on the situation, but obviously we have full faith in Sammy. He's played really good this year." The team appears to be rallying around Ersson, showing confidence in his abilities between the pipes.
As the Flyers forge ahead without Hart, they will look to maintain their standing and push for success in a highly competitive division. With the team backing Ersson and Petersen stepping into the fray, the Flyers aim to navigate this challenging period with the hope that their goaltending duo can fill the void left by Hart's leave.