Vegas Golden Knights Goalie Carter Hart Sidelined with Lower-Body Injury
The Vegas Golden Knights announced on January 10, 2026, that their goalie Carter Hart will be out for an undetermined period due to a lower-body injury. This news came after the team’s morning skate and before their home game against the St. Louis Blues. Hart suffered the injury during the first period of the Golden Knights’ 5-3 victory over the Columbus Blue Jackets on Thursday night.
Akira Schmid is set to start in Hart’s place against the Blues, boasting a 12-4-5 record, a 2.51 goals-against average, and a.895 save percentage. To bolster their goaltending depth, the Golden Knights have called up Carl Lindbom from their American Hockey League affiliate in Henderson, Nevada. Lindbom has made seven starts for the Golden Knights this season, compiling a 1-4-2 record, a 3.14 GAA, and a.870 save percentage.
Coach Bruce Cassidy’s Assessment
Coach Bruce Cassidy expressed his confidence in Akira Schmid, stating, “Akira has done a really good job for us. We liked what he did last year, so we were hoping that would translate into what he did this year and have some success, and it has.” Cassidy also shared his thoughts on Carl Lindbom, noting, “With Carl, there was unknown with his first call-up and got thrown in a tough spot. He got a taste of NHL shooters, the difference probably between the NHL and the American League. He got a win and went back to Henderson and probably felt good about the win and has played well there.”
Lindbom has indeed performed well in the American Hockey League, posting a 6-3-3 record, a 2.08 GAA, and a.926 save percentage in Henderson. The Golden Knights are currently without their top two goalies, as Adin Hill has been practicing but has not yet returned to the lineup. Hill, who led the team to a Stanley Cup title three years ago, has been out with a lower-body injury and is expected to be reevaluated on Tuesday.
Hart’s Background and Contract
Carter Hart was signed by the Golden Knights in October and made his first appearance on December 2 in a 4-3 victory over the Chicago Blackhawks. This marked his first NHL game in nearly two years. Hart was one of five 2018 Canada world junior hockey players acquitted of sexual assault in July and was the first to agree to an NHL contract. The league ruled that these players were eligible to sign deals starting October 15 and to play beginning December 1. Hart signed a two-year, $4 million contract with the Golden Knights.
The Golden Knights will look to Akira Schmid and potentially Carl Lindbom to fill the void left by Hart’s injury. With Adin Hill’s status still uncertain, the team’s goaltending situation will be closely monitored in the coming days. As the season progresses, the Golden Knights will aim to maintain their competitive edge despite the challenges posed by injuries to their key players.
