Hurricanes' Pyotr Kochetkov: Returned from conditioning loan
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Kochetkov has been recalled from his conditioning loan by the Hurricanes from AHL Chicago on Sunday, according to the official AHL transaction log.
Kochetkov has yet to appear in a game this season at the NHL level, as he's been dealing with a lower-body injury since the start of the year. The 26-year-old played well in his lone start with AHL Chicago, making 22 saves on 23 shots on goal in a victory. He will now return to the NHL, presumably as the backup to Frederik Andersen.
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Hurricanes' Pyotr Kochetkov: Sent on conditioning assignment
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Kochetkov was sent to AHL Chicago on a conditioning assignment Friday.
The Hurricanes activated Kochetkov from injured reserve earlier in the day, but they've decided he needs to get up to game speed in the minors. This likely means Frederik Andersen and Brandon Bussi will be the goalie tandem at the NHL level for a little longer. Expect Kochetkov to miss Saturday's game versus the Bruins at a minimum, though the team did not reveal how long his assignment will be.
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Hurricanes' Pyotr Kochetkov: Activated from injured reserve
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Kochetkov (lower body) was activated off injured reserve Friday.
Kochetkov has not played this season, as the Hurricanes have been relying on Frederik Andersen and Brandon Bussi for the first month of the campaign. Expect Bussi to be sent to the minors in the near future due to the eventual return of Kochetkov. Kochetkov could start as early as Saturday in Boston, but with the Hurricanes playing four games next week, including three games in four nights, look for Kochetkov to play at least twice over nine nights. Carolina placed K'Andre Miller (lower body) on injured reserve in a related transaction.
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Hurricanes' Pyotr Kochetkov: Placed on IR
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Kochetkov (lower body) landed on injured reserve Monday.
The Hurricanes recalled Charles-Alexis Legault from AHL Chicago in a corresponding move. Kotchetkov's placement on IR is retroactive to Oct. 5, but he's not expected to suit up during the early portion of Carolina's road trip, which begins Tuesday in San Jose. It's unclear if Kochetkov made the trip out west, but Frederik Andersen will receive the bulk of the starts as long as Kochetkov is sidelined.
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Hurricanes' Pyotr Kochetkov: Out for at least one week
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Per Chip Alexander of The Raleigh News & Observer, Kochetkov (lower body) will miss at least one week of action, according to head coach Rod Brind'Amour on Saturday.
Kochetkov sat out Opening Night against New Jersey on Thursday and will miss at least the next three games. Still, Brind'Amour is hopeful that Kochetkov could travel with the Hurricanes on the team's upcoming six-game road trip, Walt Ruff of the Hurricanes' official site reports, which begins Tuesday against the Sharks. Frederik Andersen will probably continue to start in Kochetkov's absence, while Brandon Bussi will be the backup. Kochetkov was 27-16-3 with a 2.60 GAA and an .897 save percentage across 47 regular-season appearances in 2024-25.
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Hurricanes' Pyotr Kochetkov: Not in lineup Thursday
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Head coach Rod Brind'Amour said Thursday that Kochetkov (undisclosed) was "nicked up" and will not back up Frederik Andersen versus New Jersey on Thursday, Walt Ruff of the Hurricanes' official site reports.
Kochetkov missed practice Wednesday and Thursday with the injury. Andersen will get the Opening Night start, while Brandon Bussi serves as the backup. Kochetkov should tentatively be considered day-to-day as the regular season gets underway.
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Hurricanes' Pyotr Kochetkov: Misses practice
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Kochetkov missed Wednesday's practice due to an undisclosed injury, per Ryan Henkel of The Hockey News.
It sounds like this is the same injury Kochetkov was dealing with during training camp. The goaltender was able to start in Saturday's exhibition clash against Nashville without issue, but the injury is bothering him again. Kochetkov's availability for Carolina's season opener against New Jersey on Thursday is uncertain as a result. Frederik Andersen will probably start Thursday regardless, but if Kochetkov isn't an option, then Brandon Bussi would slot in as Andersen's understudy.
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Hurricanes' Pyotr Kochetkov: In goal for preseason finale
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Kochetkov will defend the road net against Nashville on Saturday in exhibition action, per Brooks Bratten of the Predators' official site.
Kochetkov missed some time during training camp due to a minor injury, but he will return to the crease in Carolina's preseason finale. He earned a 27-16-3 record with two shutouts, a 2.60 GAA and an .897 save percentage across 47 appearances during the 2024-25 regular season. Kochetkov is poised to split starts with Frederik Andersen in the 2025-26 campaign.
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Hurricanes' Pyotr Kochetkov: Back skating
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Kochetkov (undisclosed) skated with the non-game group Monday, Walt Ruff of the Hurricanes' official site reports.
Carolina has been extremely cautious with injuries during training camp, and Kochetkov had been off the ice since Thursday due to a minor issue. If he doesn't return to the lineup for Saturday's preseason finale in Nashville, he still could be an option for Opening Night on Oct. 9 versus New Jersey.
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Hurricanes' Pyotr Kochetkov: Won't suit up against Bolts
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Kochetkov (undisclosed) will not be in the crease versus the Lightning on Friday, Benjamin Pierce of the Lightning's official site reports.
Kochetkov may not have featured in Friday's game even if he was healthy, considering the Hurricanes are heading into a back-to-back versus Nashville and Florida on Sunday and Monday, respectively. The 26-year-old netminder will likely enter the 2025-26 season as the No. 2 behind Frederik Andersen, though it could work out to more of an even split share between the duo.
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Hurricanes' Pyotr Kochetkov: Tending twine in Game 3
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Kochetkov will defend the road net against Florida on Saturday in Game 3, Tom Gulitti of NHL.com reports.
Kochetkov has a 1-0 record with a 2.57 GAA and an .891 save percentage in three appearances this postseason. After Frederik Andersen got the hook in Game 2, the 25-year-old Kochetkov stopped four of the five shots he faced in relief in Thursday's 5-0 loss to the Panthers. Florida has the second-most goals per game (3.93) in the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs.
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Hurricanes' Pyotr Kochetkov: Allows one goal in relief
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Kochetkov stopped four of five shots in relief Thursday in a 5-0 loss to the Panthers in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Finals.
The Canes simply could not deal with the Panthers' pressure game, and they left starter Frederik Andersen high and dry. Kochetkov came into the game to start the third with his team down 4-0, and the Panthers scored a power-play goal at 13:49 to seal the victory. Expect Andersen back in the net for Game 3; Kotchetkov is a solid netminder, but this team -- and its success -- belongs to Andersen.
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Hurricanes' Pyotr Kochetkov: Rallies for 2OT win Tuesday
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Kochetkov stopped 31 shots Tuesday in the Hurricanes' 5-4 double-overtime win over the Devils in Game 5 of their first-round series.
Making his first start of the playoffs in place of Frederik Andersen (undisclosed), Kochetkov watched New Jersey grab a 3-0 lead before the halfway mark of the first period on two deflected goals and a third that came after a giveaway at the Carolina blue line. The 25-year-old netminder didn't lose his focus though, and he stood tall as the 'Canes dominated the game beginning in the third period. The win advances Carolina to the second round, but with Andersen's status uncertain, Kochetkov may return to the bench when the team resumes play against either Washington or Montreal.
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Hurricanes' Pyotr Kochetkov: Downed by Habs on Wednesday
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Kochetkov stopped 17 of 20 shots in Wednesday's 4-2 loss to the Canadiens, with Montreal's final goal getting scored into an empty net.
With nothing on the line in their second-last game of the regular season, the Hurricanes rested a number of skaters and didn't provide Kochetkov with his usual support. It's the 25-year-old netminder's third loss in his last four starts, and over his last seven outings he's stumbled to a 3.91 GAA and .832 save percentage. Frederik Andersen has been marginally better during that stretch (2.80 GAA, .885 save percentage in his last six starts), but it's not yet clear which goalie Carolina will have between the pipes when the team kicks off its playoff run against New Jersey.
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Hurricanes' Pyotr Kochetkov: Set to start Wednesday
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Kochetkov is expected to start on the road against Montreal on Wednesday, per Renaud Lavoie of TVA Sports.
Kochetkov has surrendered at least three goals in each of his past six appearances, going 2-4-0 with a 4.06 GAA and an .830 save percentage over that stretch. He's 27-15-3 with a 2.59 GAA and an .897 save percentage in 46 outings this season. The Canadiens, who will be looking to earn at least one point Wednesday to secure their postseason berth, rank 17th in goals per game with 2.95.
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Hurricanes' Pyotr Kochetkov: Cruises to win Saturday
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Kochetkov made 28 saves in Saturday's 7-3 win over the Rangers.
The Hurricanes took their foot off the gas in the third period after building a 5-1 lead, but Kochetkov made sure the visitors never got too close. The 25-year-old is still having a sluggish end to the regular season, allowing at least three goals in six straight starts since a shutout win over the Flyers on March 15. Over that stretch, he's gone 2-4-0 with a 4.06 GAA and .830 save percentage.
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Hurricanes' Pyotr Kochetkov: Between pipes Friday
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Kochetkov will defend the visiting cage in Detroit on Friday.
Kochetov picked up his first victory in three starts Sunday, turning aside 27 shots in a 6-4 win over the Islanders. Kochetkov is 26-13-3 with a pair of shutouts, a 2.54 GAA and a .900 save percentage across 43 appearances this season. He is alternating starts with Frederik Andersen, and it remains to be seen if this arrangement will continue in the playoffs. The Red Wings are generating 2.81 goals per game in 2024-25, 21st in the NHL.
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Hurricanes' Pyotr Kochetkov: Gives up four goals in win
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Kochetkov allowed four goals on 31 shots in Sunday's 6-4 win over the Islanders.
Kochetkov ended a two-game slide, but it wasn't a confident performance. He's given up 14 goals over his last three games after allowing just six tallies during the five-game win streak that preceded this stretch. For the season, Kochetkov is up to 26-13-3 with a 2.54 GAA and a .900 save percentage over a career-high 43 games. If the Hurricanes continue to alternate between Kochetkov and Frederik Andersen, Kochetkov will dodge Wednesday's matchup versus the Capitals and instead play Friday on the road against the Red Wings.
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Hurricanes' Pyotr Kochetkov: Guarding goal Sunday
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Kochetkov will protect the home net against the Islanders on Sunday, Walt Ruff of the Hurricanes' official site reports.
Kochetkov has lost his last two outings, surrendering 10 goals on 41 shots. He has a 25-13-3 record with two shutouts, a 2.50 GAA and a .901 save percentage through 42 appearances this season. The Islanders dropped a 5-3 decision to Tampa Bay on Saturday.
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Hurricanes' Pyotr Kochetkov: Handed second straight loss
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Kochetkov made 13 saves in Tuesday's 3-1 loss to the Predators.
He wasn't busy, and Kochetkov also didn't look sharp on Nashville's opening goal -- he lost the puck on a rebound and let it trickle behind him early in the first period when he thought he had it pinned to his pad, leaving an easy tap-in for Michael Bunting. The 25-year-old netminder gave up seven goals in his prior start Saturday against the Kings, and while Carolina isn't likely to deviate from its strict timeshare in the crease between Frederik Andersen and Kochetkov, the latter is looking a little fatigued as he approaches a career-high workload.
