One Year After Acquittals: Five Players' Career Trajectories

Carter Hart posted a .909 save percentage across 22 playoff starts for the Vegas Golden Knights after signing a two-year $2 million per season contract.

Hart’s NHL Return and Playoff Impact

Hart recorded an .891 save percentage and 2.71 goals-against average in 18 regular-season games during his first season back.

Vegas signed the former Philadelphia Flyers starter to the two-year deal valued at $2 million annually, contrasting with his prior leave of absence.

In the postseason Hart improved to a .924 save percentage and 2.22 goals-against average before the Stanley Cup final, where Vegas lost in six games to the Carolina Hurricanes.

The 22 playoff appearances delivered a .909 save percentage and 2.56 goals-against average overall, the strongest statistical rebound among the five players.

Judge Maria Carroccia’s acquittal cleared Hart along with the group, enabling his immediate NHL reinstatement and the subsequent Vegas contract.

Dube and Foote in North American Minor Leagues

Dillon Dube signed a professional tryout with the Springfield Thunderbirds and tallied 20 goals plus 37 points in 46 AHL games.

He added five goals and eight points in 12 Calder Cup playoff contests, marking his first NHL-level affiliation since leaving the Calgary Flames after 325 games on a $2.3 million annual contract.

Cal Foote joined the Chicago Wolves on an AHL deal the day suspensions lifted and registered four goals with 18 points in 48 regular-season games.

Foote extended his output to three goals and 11 points across 21 playoff appearances, remaining outside the NHL roster picture.

These AHL performances stand in contrast to the players’ prior NHL minutes logged before the trial period.

McLeod and Formenton Overseas

Michael McLeod scored 22 goals and 48 points in 55 regular-season games for Omsk in the KHL after 287 NHL games that produced 29 goals and 85 points with the New Jersey Devils.

He followed with one goal and 11 points in 17 playoff contests and remains under contract with Omsk for the 2026-27 season.

Alex Formenton posted 13 goals and 23 points in 42 Swiss National League games during his third season with Ambri-Piotta, having last appeared in the NHL with 18 goals and 32 points in 79 games for the Ottawa Senators in 2021-22.

McLeod’s extra charge as party to the offense did not alter his overseas trajectory compared with Formenton’s continued European placement.

The KHL and Swiss numbers exceed the NHL production thresholds the two forwards reached before their absences.