One of the Philadelphia Flyers’ biggest holes to fill between now and next season is the open backup / 1B position behind goalie Carter Hart. The 20-year-old has proven this year he belongs in the NHL and in the starting crease, passing many on the Flyers’ goalie depthchart.
But because he’ll still only be in his second professional season and only just old enough to buy a beer, having a steady presence as a netminding partner is crucial. As we’ve seen from Hart and plenty of elite goalies, no one can be perfect in net all the time and tough stretches at the beginning of a career is a norm.