Leafs now linked to a potential franchise goaltender in the Metropolitan Division

The Philadelphia Flyers began their rebuild aggressively yesterday by acquiring a top prospect and multiple picks when they traded Ivan Provorov to Columbus and took on the contract of Cal Peterson from the LA Kings. The Flyers also received a slew of picks and prospects in the deal. At the same time as that trade was being announced, reports surfaced that the Flyers were also gauging the market for 24-year-old potential franchise goaltender Carter Hart.

Hart was supposed to be the Flyers' answer to a string of goaltending problems, but it would now appear that they are ready to move on from the former second round pick as they embark on a rebuild.

Drafted 48th overall in 2016, Hart burst onto the scene in 2018, posting a 2.83 GAA and .917 save percentage in 31 games. Things were looking good for the Flyers between the pipes. Unfortunately, due to the lack of direction from management, the Flyers and Hart struggled over the last 3 seasons.

There will be plenty of interest in the 24-year-old who has one year left on his current deal that will see him earn $3.9M for the upcoming season before becoming an RFA in 2024. According to Dave Pagnotta from The Fourth Period, the Leafs are a team to watch when it comes to the Hart sweepstakes. Pagnotta said, "one team that if you start to hear a little bit more about them being connected to Carter Hart, don't be surprised, is the Toronto Maple Leafs."

Hart was the first goalie off the board in the 2016 draft. The second was Tyler Parsons, who was drafted by Brad Treliving and the Flames, so you have to wonder if Treliving was hoping that Hart would fall 6 more spots to Calgary at the time. If Treliving had his eye on Hart back then, I'm sure that interest is still there.

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