“Rotation”, “coward”: NHL fans react as Knights’ Carter Hart set to skip start in return to Philadelphia

Carter Hart’s return to Philadelphia will have to wait, and NHL fans wasted no time sounding off after the Vegas Golden Knights confirmed he will not start Thursday against the Flyers. ESPN’s Emily Kaplan reported that coach Bruce Cassidy chose to reinsert Akira Schmid into the rotation, with Hart now expected to start Saturday in Columbus instead.

Carter Hart’s comeback has been one of the league’s most controversial storylines this season. After nearly two years away, he made his Golden Knights debut on Dec. 2, shortly after being cleared to return to competition following his acquittal in the 2018 Hockey Canada case.

The update drew fast and blunt reactions online.

"Coward," One fan replied. "Rotation," another fan said, showing skepticism with a simple hint over the timing. "Misleading the fan base only works when it's even remotely believable," one fan wrote.

Here are some more reactions to the Carter Hart skipping game in Philadelphia.

"Based on rotation? So that’s why Hart started two games in a row after Schmid’s shutout last Saturday?" one fan said. "Vegas is soooooo soft. Cant protect him forever😂😂" one fan joked. "Wasn't this game picked up for national broadcast AFTER Hart's signing? If so, then good, VGK didn't let the media have their narrative." one fan mentioned.

Carter Hart's performance this season, since his return

Carter Hart's first three starts have all gone to overtime, and he holds a 2-0-1 record with a 2.80 goals against average and a .889 save percentage. In Tuesday’s 5-4 shootout loss to the NY Islanders, Hart stopped 23 of 27 shots, settling in after a shaky start and giving Vegas a chance to rally late.

Cassidy’s decision is rooted in workload and the club’s goalie rotation. Hart has started two straight games, and the Knights want Schmid back into rhythm after a stretch on the bench. With Adin Hill still out, managing both goalies matters as Vegas navigates a heavy schedule.

Meanwhile, the Golden Knights sit at 14-6-9, holding second place in the Pacific after winning four out of their last five games. Their offense averages just over three goals per night, while their structure keeps them among the better defensive groups in the league.

Jack Eichel drives their attack with 38 points, and Tomas Hertl leads in goals. The power play ranks among strong teams, but their penalty kill needs work. Even so, Vegas stays on track and competitive with balanced play.

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Edited by Ankit Kumar