Chris Johnston reports NHL’s stance on contract status of Carter Hart and other players involved in alleged 2018 sexual assault case

Netminder Carter Hart and three other players will become unrestricted free agents this offseason. That is unless their respective teams tender them qualifying offers, insider Chris Johnston reports.

Carter Hart of the Flyers, Dillon Dubé of the Flames, and Michael McLeod and Cal Foote of the Devils will see no change in their status as NHL players despite an ongoing investigation into allegations of sexual assault from 2018.

Per Johnston:

“Sources say there is no change to the NHL rights of the Canadian world junior players charged with sexual assault.”

In other words, the players’ respective teams have till Sunday afternoon to extend qualifying offers. Otherwise, the players in question would be free to sign elsewhere.

Johnston added:

“There were discussions between the NHL and NHLPA about potentially changing how the status of those players was treated while the legal process played out, but they ultimately decided against taking that action.”

Carter Hart, Dubé, McLeod, and Foote face charges stemming from a 2018 incident in which several members of the Canadian World Junior Team allegedly sexually assaulted a woman. Hockey Canada had reportedly settled a lawsuit out of court.

However, the victim brought forth a new suit in 2022, prompting Canadian authorities to open a criminal inquiry into the matter. Carter Hart and the other players in question were placed on administrative leave in January of this year pending the outcome of the investigation, the Associated Press reported.

Carter Hart and other charged players deny wrongdoing

Hart has denied the charges against him through his lawyers. While Hart has not spoken publicly about the matter, his legal representation made the following statement, the Guardian reported:

“He is innocent and will provide a full response to this false accusation in the proper forum, a court of law.”

Similarly, the other players involved have issued public statements via their attorneys. Lawyers representing McLeod stated:

“We will vigorously defend the case. We ask that the public respect Mr. McLeod’s privacy, and his family’s privacy because the matter is now before the court, we will not comment further at this time."

Foote’s attorney stated:

"Cal is innocent of the charge and will defend himself against this allegation to clear his name."

Meanwhile, the NHL clubs involved have not officially issued any pronouncements, given the ongoing nature of the case. The NHL is expected to decide on the players’ futures once the case has been officially resolved by the courts.