Carolina Hurricanes Goaltending Uncertainty
As the Carolina Hurricanes approach the kickoff of their season, they are facing uncertainty surrounding their goaltending situation. Pyotr Kochetkov, the team’s netminder, has raised concerns after he missed practice on Wednesday leading up to the season opener scheduled for Thursday.
Concerns Over Kochetkov
Although Kochetkov played well in the team’s final preseason matchup against Nashville on Saturday, something seems to have occurred since then that has left his availability questionable. Coach Rod Brind’Amour revealed,
“He got nicked up the other day… I’m not sure if it was in practice or what. I’m not sure what his status will be.”
The 26-year-old Kochetkov had previously missed multiple practice sessions during training camp. Should he be sidelined, the Hurricanes will heavily rely on veteran goalie Frederik Andersen, who is entering his 13th year in the NHL and fifth with the Hurricanes. However, Andersen’s history with injuries has caused the organization some concern; he underwent knee surgery last season after participating in just four games.
Backup Options
In the event that Kochetkov cannot play, the team will turn to Brandon Bussi, who has recently joined as Andersen’s backup after being claimed off waivers from the Florida Panthers. While Bussi is yet to break into the NHL, he has an impressive record in the AHL, boasting 111 appearances, a 63-31-13 record, a .915 save percentage, and eight shutouts. Brind’Amour seems optimistic about Bussi’s abilities, stating,
“He looks good. Big guy. Hopefully we’re not going to be relying on that, but if we do, we have a lot of confidence in him.”
Initially, the Hurricanes intended to have Cayden Primeau fulfill the third-string goalie role; however, he was also claimed off waivers by the Toronto Maple Leafs. The Hurricanes made their claims based on extensive consultations with their goaltending coaches and former player Cam Ward, underlining their reliance on expert opinions to shape their roster decisions.
Looking Ahead
As the team prepares for the season ahead, all eyes will be on Kochetkov’s recovery and on how the goaltending situation unfolds.
