Carolina Hurricanes coach Rod Brind’Amour announced on Monday that goalie Pyotr Kochetkov will undergo surgery for a lower-body injury and is expected to miss the rest of the season. Kochetkov, 26, was placed on injured reserve earlier that day. He hasn’t played in the last two games after a rough outing against the Tampa Bay Lightning, where he allowed five goals on 28 shots.
This injury has troubled Kochetkov since preseason, causing him to miss the first 11 games of the season. “He just didn’t feel right all year,” Brind’Amour said. “He pushed through but decided he needs surgery to fix it.” Despite this challenge, Kochetkov performed admirably with a record of 6-2-0, a 2.33 goals-against average, a .899 save percentage, and one shutout in nine games this season.
Kochetkov was selected in the second round of the 2019 NHL Draft and has a decent track record overall, holding a career record of 71-38-12, a 2.46 GAA, and 11 shutouts in 125 regular-season games. However, he struggled in the playoffs with a 3.83 GAA in 10 games.
With Kochetkov sidelined, the Hurricanes will likely start Brandon Bussi against the New York Rangers. Bussi, 27, has had a strong debut in the NHL, posting a 12-1-1 record with a 2.10 GAA and one shutout in 14 starts. Frederik Andersen will serve as the backup. Andersen, now 36, has had a tougher season with a 5-8-2 record and a GAA of 3.27.
“We’re going to need [Andersen],” Brind’Amour remarked. “What was once a luxury is now a challenge. We’ve got these two goalies, and they need to figure it out.” Carolina currently sits atop the Metropolitan Division with a record of 23-11-3. This demonstrates their resilience, as they adjust to the loss of a key player while maintaining their competitive edge.
In recent years, injuries to star players have significantly impacted teams in the NHL. For example, a survey from the NHL Players’ Association found that around 30% of players deal with injuries that affect their performance, underlining how crucial it is for teams to have depth at every position. Staying competitive while managing injuries is a challenge many teams face, and how the Hurricanes manage this situation could be a testament to their overall strength.
As the season unfolds, fans will be watching how the team adapts and whether they can maintain their lead in the division without Kochetkov.
