The Athletic Hockey Show: Why Carter Hart Signed in Vegas

Date: October 16, 2025
Hosts: Haley Salvian & Sean Gentile
Guests: Jesse Granger, Arpin Basu, Dom Luszczyszyn

Episode Overview

This episode explores the fast-evolving news around Carter Hart’s imminent signing with the Vegas Golden Knights following his acquittal from the 2018 Hockey Canada investigation, as well as broader goalie news around the NHL. In the second half, the focus shifts to the Montreal Canadiens’ strong start, their strategy of value contracts with young stars, and fresh Olympic roster intrigue, all with smart, playful commentary from The Athletic's hockey team.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Carter Hart & the Vegas Signing Saga

(Main Segment: 03:40–18:34)

• Background on Hart:

  • Carter Hart, former Philadelphia Flyers goalie, was among five players on trial for alleged sexual assault stemming from June 2018.
  • All were acquitted; NHL/NHLPA reinstated the group in July.
  • Eligible to sign NHL contracts as of October 15, 2025.

• Vegas as Logical Landing Spot

  • Hart’s preferences: American team, playoff contender.
  • Vegas fits perfectly—a “win-now,” contender with room under the cap due to Alex Pietrangelo’s early-season absence.
  • The organization has a track record of signing or drafting controversial players and squeezing value from “pedigree” reclamation projects (ex: Chandler Stephenson, William Karlsson, Brett Howden).
  • Debated openly is Vegas’ “ruthless” approach, less concerned with optics than most teams.

• Fan & Media Reaction

  • Local backlash not as severe as in Carolina, but notable (online petitions, negative feedback on social).
  • (Jesse Granger, 09:08) “The noise has been loud, for sure, but not loud enough for (management) to change course. They're about winning.”

• Hockey Expectations for Hart

  • Uncertainty over Hart’s on-ice readiness after an absence dating to January 2024.
  • Likely to start with AHL games to find NHL timing; challenge magnified by the subpar Henderson Silver Knights defense.
  • (Jesse Granger, 14:10) “Goaltending—the time off hurts a goalie more than any other position… I’ll be impressed if he’s anywhere near the level he was.”
  • Vegas is higher on Akira Schmid than outside observers (thanks to goalie coach Sean Burke’s system), but adding Hart is a low-risk, high-reward “lottery ticket.”

• Aiden Hill’s Role & Organizational Rationale

  • Hill is their #1, but durability issues and recent (freak) mask-related injury spotlight the need for a strong tandem.
  • Carter Hart is insurance as much as anything; Vegas’ preference is for a “rotation” starter, not just a backup.
  • (Jesse Granger, 18:16) “You can’t just have a traditional backup… with Aiden Hill, you need a rotation guy.”

2. NHL Goalie News & Injuries

(19:23–25:28)

• New Jersey Devils’ Crease Woes
  • Jacob Markstrom’s injury (out “a couple weeks”) discussed.
  • Devils well-positioned with strong backup Jake Allen, who extended for precisely these scenarios.
• Vancouver’s Thatcher Demko Rebounds
  • Early-season form reminiscent of his Vezina-nominee peak; makes Team USA’s Olympic long list.
  • Profound depth for USA hockey in net—Demko might not even crack the top three with Hellebuyck, Ottinger, and Swayman in the mix.

(Memorable:
Sean Gentile on Team USA’s Olympic goalie embarrassment-of-riches, 24:35) “Maybe we should just start one every period! There are so many good ones.”

3. Montreal Canadiens: Extensions & Window Management

(29:20–42:51)

• Lane Hutson’s Extension

  • 8-year, $8.5 million AAV, highly team-friendly, structured around bonus-rich payouts before looming CBA changes.
  • Canadiens leveraging decentralized superstar contracts—slightly below market, modeled after Nick Suzuki’s deal.
  • Arpin Basu (30:09) “It’s considerably team-friendly… but Lane Hutson isn’t exactly taking a haircut—he’s going to see $23 million in the first 12 months!”

• Culture of Young Deals & Risk Management

  • Core locked in long-term for what will soon be less than half the cap—a “small wins” accumulation philosophy.
  • Still risks: precedent of teams (ex: 2010s Florida Panthers) who locked up the wrong young core; not every piece may work out as hoped (see: Slafkovsky’s show-me year).
  • (Basu, 38:13) “It looks encouraging, but it’s not a done deal by any stretch.”

4. Olympic Roster Updates & Arena Drama

(49:46–49:43; 51:39–57:46)

• USA & Canada Olympic Preparation

  • USA extends orientation invites to Lane Hutson (defense), Brock Boeser (forward), and others.
  • Arpin Basu's take: well-deserved for Hutson, but roster spot unlikely given depth at puck-moving defense.
  • Rink construction delays in Milan are drawing concern but seen as “standard” Olympic drama; testing games for the new venue are rescheduled for January 2026.

• Olympic Village Life: NHL Veterans Warn the Youngsters

  • NHLers prepping for their first Olympic games are “warned” about spartan Olympic Village conditions—no Ritz Carlton, cardboard beds, shared accommodations.
  • Funny exchanges about how Sidney Crosby or Connor Bedard might adapt. (Haley Salvian, 51:39) “These poor posh babies have to stay in the village.”
  • The contrast to women’s hockey experience: “Marie-Philip Poulin’s been there, done that… and they’re not staying at the Ritz.”

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Vegas’ Culture:
  (Dom Luszczyszyn, 05:40)
  “Vegas has the temperament, they have the history… a win now organization… no problem rolling the dice and making moves other teams wouldn’t be comfortable with… this is strung out to the nth degree here.”

• On Carter Hart’s Fit:
  (Jesse Granger, 10:09)
  “The Golden Knights love taking swings on players that were once thought of as high pedigree… For all the other stuff around Carter Hart, he fits that. He was once seen as a franchise goalie.”

• On Goalie Readiness After a Layoff:
  (Jesse Granger, 14:10)
  “For a goalie, the time off hurts more than any other position… I will be impressed if he’s anywhere near the level he was.”

• On Montreal’s Cap Strategy:
  (Arpin Basu, 33:04)
  “They have six players locked in for under $50 million a year. That’s going to be half the cap in a couple of years… Now, how they choose to fill holes, that’s the tricky part.”

• On Olympic Life “Warnings” for NHL Stars:
  (Haley Salvian, 51:39)
  “These poor posh babies have to stay in the village. … For Connor Bedard… ‘Why is my bed made of cardboard?’”

• On Team USA’s Goalie Depth:
  (Sean Gentile, 24:35)
  “There are so many good ones. Maybe we should just start one every period… But there’s only one net.”

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 03:40–18:34: Carter Hart & Vegas—context, rationale, fan/media reaction
• 18:34–25:28: Goalie injuries: Devils (Markstrom/Allen), Canucks (Demko), USA Olympic goalies
• 29:20–42:51: Montreal Canadiens—Lane Hutson extension, core management, risk assessment
• 49:46–50:24: Olympic hockey rink construction in Milan—update & concerns
• 51:39–57:46: Olympic Village conditions—NHL player reactions, culture clashes, and “survival tips”
• Throughout: Playful banter, inside jokes, and sharp analytics from the hosts

Summary

This episode is a comprehensive, spirited dissection of hockey’s biggest current stories, starring Carter Hart’s Vegas saga and the Canadiens’ cap plan, all while keeping listeners in the loop on ongoing Olympic intrigue and the human side of the sport—from goalie depth charts to the realities of athlete life at the Olympics. The tone is conversational and occasionally irreverent, packed with both sharp analysis and lighthearted moments, making it an essential listen (or read!) for any hockey fan intent on understanding the intersection of talent, culture, and commerce in today’s NHL.