When on Thursday it was revealed that the five suspended but acquitted hockey -canada players who were on a trial, can return to the NHL this season, there was an immediate response in Edmonton that the oilers should contact Carter Hart.
Eligible to sign a deal in October, but not playing until December, fans were asked in a poll by David Staples from the Edmonton Journal or the organization should sign one of the five players. The answer was overwhelming. Most respondents probably assumed that this had contacted Hart in reference to Edmonton to solve their goalkeeper problem.
Do the oilers have to sign one of the UFA -free players, Carter Hart, Mike McLeod, Dillon Dube or Cal Foote?
– David Staples (@dstaples) September 11, 2025
However, it is not that simple.
If the oilers look at the heart, they have to wait until October 15 to sign him. They can talk to him sooner, but a contract cannot be signed. That probably includes inviting him to Edmonton to a PTO – which is not a guaranteed contract. There were some, including us, who wondered if a PTO (which is more an agreement to try out than a contract) could be a solution. Other sources, including Greg Wysnski from ESPN, however report Those conditioning stints were only allowed in November. He posted: “Hung to start with, but can return on December 1.
What does this mean for the oilers?
If the oilers contact Carter Hart – and there is nothing that suggests that they are considering doing this – they should offer him a contract. There is no PTO option on the table. So if the oilers feel the need to test him first, he should agree to sign a two -way contract, so that Edmonton has options. Otherwise they run with three goalkeepers, abandon him or continue with someone else.
This is not just about being good to bring in a player who is linked to a case of sexual allegations and the PR recovery that could result. This is about being confident that the heart or one of the other players after two years away from the NHL, or one of the other players, could return and have an impact.
And if Hart has options from other teams, it is not logical to compete for an unknown raw material.
Next: Report: Oilers who view a 6-year-old deal for important Top-4 defender
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