PHILADELPHIA _ Claude Giroux, the NHL's third-leading point producer over the last nine seasons, is the Flyers' heart. Sean Couturier is their soul.
But Carter Hart, the unflappable 21-year-old goalie whose potential makes Flyers fans giddy, is their most important player.
Hart burst onto the scene last December when he was called up from the AHL's Phantoms. He equaled the NHL record for most consecutive wins (eight) for a goalie under 21 and finished with a .917 save percentage and 2.83 goals-against average.
"He made a huge impact on our group," center Scott Laughton said during training camp. "We were struggling quite a bit before he came up and he kind of steadied us and gave us really good goaltending and really good consistency."
Having Hart from the start of the season almost guarantees the Flyers will be much better than a year ago.
"We don't want to put too much pressure on him," left winger James van Riemsdyk said. "He's still a young kid and this will be his first full NHL season, but obviously he did great things for us last season."
And with some NHL seasoning already on his resume, even greater things are expected this season.
"I know some people are writing us off, but we have a good squad," new center Kevin Hayes said. "Good players and we have a great goalie."
Hayes had only watched Hart play in a few preseason games as his teammate, but he had seen enough to give him a gaudy description.
Hart shrugs off the compliments and the expectations. He speaks in a tone barely above a whisper. But the soft voice doesn't mask his confidence, built from international success and ridiculously dominant seasons in the Western Hockey League.
So it's not surprising he wants to play as many games as possible this season.
"Sixty would be great," he said, adding he'll do whatever is best for the team.
Hart has quick reflexes and is a student of the game. He has worked with a sports psychologist since he was about 11 years old and it seems to have helped him keep his composure during heated moments around the net.
"The best quality I think he has is his temperament," van Riemsdyk said. "I think that's what allows him to have success and continue to grow. He's such a sponge and he's confident in himself. He knows the things he does to make him good and the things he wants to work on to make him better. He's got a lot of awareness for a kid who's only 21 years old."
Bernie Parent, the Hall of Fame goaltender and Flyers icon, said he loves Hart's athleticism and demeanor on the ice. "He always seems in control," he said. "He doesn't get rattled."
