Carter Hart's NHL Future Receives Important Update
Photo credit: Kyle Ross-Imagn Images
With Carter Hart looking to resume his NHL career, he may have a harder path back after the league is drawing a hard line on their return after serious allegations.
With all the discussions about the World Junior allegations, there's a big debate on whether or not the five players deserve a chance back in the NHL given the results of the investigation, and the Crown eschewing an appeal.
Legal Victory, But NHL Ban Remains
Of the five players, it seems like goaltender Carter Hart is getting the most attention as a potential return candidate to the NHL with teams like the Edmonton Oilers in the mix as they look to add to their goaltending.
It would be a stretch to see them back so soon, especially with the league being so staunch in their efforts to keep them out, and a new report shows that things aren't going to change anytime soon.
How the League's Stance Impacts Hart's Career Path
TVA Sports reported that although the Crown is not going to follow through with an appeal, it all lies on NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman on whether he wants to bring them back:
However, section 18-A of the current collective agreement confers a large share of power on Commissioner Gary Bettman for any offence committed by a player outside the rink.
This article therefore the right of the commissioner to expel, suspend, fine or even terminate the contract of a player who has contravened an NHL regulation.
If they were to be reintegrated, it would then be up to the teams to decide whether they accept the risk or not.
This article therefore the right of the commissioner to expel, suspend, fine or even terminate the contract of a player who has contravened an NHL regulation.
If they were to be reintegrated, it would then be up to the teams to decide whether they accept the risk or not.
That's a big if, and while the NHLPA would like to see these players eventually get a second chance, if Bettman feels they don't deserve it, then they certainly won't get it.
So Hart's career in the NHL is going to hinge on either a) Bettman's retirement or b) the NHLPA being able to convince the league it's better for them to bring them back than to keep them out.
Otherwise, it seems like Hart's best bet to continue his career in general would be to go overseas and try to work his way back into contention, with the hopes that Bettman will forgive by the time he's looking to return.
What This Could Mean for Teams Across the League
With certain teams looking to bring in some more help for their goaltending, losing out on Hart; who is young and still has a potential career ahead of him is a tough pill to swallow.
It means that they will need to look to other options like James Reimer, Ilya Samsonov, or Alexandar Georgiev to fill their goaltending holes as opposed to bringing in Hart.
Plus, teams need to also worry about the fan backlash from bringing in a player with such baggage, even if things are seemingly kosher. No team wants to alienate their fans or bring any type of negative reputation just for the sake of adding a body.
There is always the chance that Hart makes his way back into the league one day, but as long as Gary Bettman is running the show; he'll forever be an unsignable player.
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