Photo Credit: FortSaskonline
It’s getting hard to hold back the excitement of just what Flyers ex-General Manger Ron Hextall might have found when he selected this now-21-year-old goaltending prodigy (Carter Hart) back in 2016. Ever since Ron Hextall clanged the pipes with his stick (to check his positioning in net) for the last time wearing the orange and black, the Flyers organization as a whole has been scouring the globe in pursuit of his successor: One who might stand in the blue paint on South Broad Street for the next ten years to come, helping the team return to their rightful spot atop the Eastern Conference.
With yet another exemplary performance and win from the phenomenal Carter Hart at home (this time against the New York Rangers on Friday night), you can go ahead and pinch yourself: this is real! The Flyers have found “That Guy” for whom they have been foraging for so long. In 22 games played at home this year, Hart has 18 wins, 2 losses, 2 OT, and 1 Shut Out! This totals a 1.67 Goals Against Average (GAA) and a .941 Save Percentage (SV%). These numbers are Vezina worthy.
At the same time he is posting road numbers that aren’t so impressive. In 17 games played, Hart has only 3 wins and 10 losses while posting a 3.88 GAA and a .855 SV%. It goes without saying that these need to improve. Hart and the rest of the team need to find out just what might bring some of this home success Hart’s way on the road: whether it be bussing a couple of Charter buses stocked full of Philly fans to away games or stocking the plane full of groceries from Carter’s favorite super market (Whole Foods), which he frequents multiple times a week. Anything is worth a shot!
While we all maybe extremely eager for Hart to develop at a more rapid pace, we have to remember that he is still just 21. At an age where most goaltenders are still figuring out how to make that next jump to the NHL from the minors, Carter is already solidified his spot, not only in the NHL but being mentioned amongst some of the best in the league. With the salary of just $730,830.00 this year and next, that’s quite the bargain for this incumbent franchise goaltender. With his play just this month (since being back from a short injury stint) of 7 GP 6 Wins 1 Loss (with that single loss being to the Metro’s division best team the Tampa Bay Lightning) while posting a 2.02 GAA and a .929 SV%, he might have just figured it all out in time for the Playoffs. Playoffs where he is bound to gain some much-needed experience to help him along his path (a path that is shinning bright) to NHL Stardom!
Yes I like Carter Hart as a top notch goalie now so his future is the sky is the limit.. I think the trick for away games is a matter of getting The crowd noise out of play which is not easy but U have to really work at it!Concentration !!!!He has all the moves!!!