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Philadelphia Flyers: Three bold predictions for the 2021 season

By Kevin Dickson

PHILADELPHIA, PA - JANUARY 16: James van Riemsdyk #25 of the Philadelphia Flyers controls the puck against Carey Price #31 of the Montreal Canadiens in the third period at the Wells Fargo Center on January 16, 2020 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Canadiens defeated the Flyers 4-1. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - JANUARY 16: James van Riemsdyk #25 of the Philadelphia Flyers controls the puck against Carey Price #31 of the Montreal Canadiens in the third period at the Wells Fargo Center on January 16, 2020 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Canadiens defeated the Flyers 4-1. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /
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Philadelphia Flyers Carter Hart
Sep 5, 2020; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; New York Islanders goaltender Thomas Greiss (1) greets Philadelphia Flyers goaltender Carter Hart (79) after game seven of the second round of the 2020 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Scotiabank Arena. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports /

Carter Hart wins the Vezina Trophy

Oh yeah that is right, I did say these were going to be bold predictions. Entering his third NHL season, Carter Hart is poised to become not only one of the best goalies, but one of the best players in the entire National Hockey League.

The 22 year old net minder had a strong second season, which saw him go 24-13-3 with a 2.42 GAA and .914 SV%. His postseason was even better, as you could argue he absolutely dragged the Philadelphia Flyers to the brink of the Eastern Conference Finals, before ultimately falling in Game 7 of the second-round with the New York Islanders. During that postseason run, Hart posted a record of 9-5 with a 2.23 GAA and a .926 SV%.

The great run in the postseason began against the Montreal Canadians with the young goalie staring down and outplaying his childhood idol Carey Price. He also became the youngest Flyers goaltender to record a shutout in the postseason, as well as becoming the fifth goalie in NHL history to record back to back shutouts in the playoffs under the age of 23 (and the second youngest to do so).

In the second-round against the Islanders, a case can be made that Hart’s defining postseason moment came in Game 6, where he made 49 saves, leading the Flyers to an unforgettable 5-4 double overtime win forcing a Game 7. That Game 6 was an instant Philadelphia sports classic, and one we will be talking about for a long time in the Delaware Valley.

Now fresh off that strong sophomore year and fantastic playoff debut, it is time for Hart to take another step forward; and I fully expect it to happen.

Look, do I flat out expect a Vezina Trophy from Carter Hart? Of course not. It is such an incredibly difficult award to win, even more so now with an abundance of talent between the pipes in the NHL. However, if anybody can take that next step, it would be the Philadelphia Flyers goaltender. His poise and maturity is what sets him apart. When the inevitable bad goal squeaks by him, he is unbothered and ready to stop the next one. That is the mark of a great goaltender.

The Vezina Trophy is a realistic individual goal for Carter Hart during 2021, and it is something I believe he will achieve.

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