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Is Carolina Hurricanes Pyotr Kochetkov Their Goalie of the Future?

By Richard Jelinek

RALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA - MAY 04: Pyotr Kochetkov #52 of the Carolina Hurricanes cools down during the third period against the Boston Bruins in Game Two of the First Round of the 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs at PNC Arena on May 04, 2022 in Raleigh, North Carolina. The Hurricanes won 5-2. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)
RALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA - MAY 04: Pyotr Kochetkov #52 of the Carolina Hurricanes cools down during the third period against the Boston Bruins in Game Two of the First Round of the 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs at PNC Arena on May 04, 2022 in Raleigh, North Carolina. The Hurricanes won 5-2. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images) /
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Pyotr Kochetkov can be seen as the next Alex Nedeljkovic. He came into a situation that had goalies injured and played extremely well. Nedeljkovic played his way into Calder Trophy consideration and led the Carolina Hurricanes to much success in his first season. With Nedljkovic gone, the throne may have been passed to Kotchetkov. With injuries to Frederik Andersen and Antti Raanta getting older, this may be his time to take over the nets for the Hurricanes.

Is Carolina Hurricanes Kochetkov ready for the number one position?

Kochetkov, Carolina’s second-round pick (36th overall) in the 2019 NHL Draft, came into a situation where he was pushed into action because of an injury to the goaltenders ahead of him. He made his NHL debut on April 24, 2022, in a 3-2 overtime win against the New Jersey Devils and has been solid since then.

In his rookie year, he managed to record a 3-0-0 record with a .902 save percentage and a 2.42 goals-against average. This season he has been just as impressive, going 7-1-4 with a .926 save percentage, a 2.02 goals-against average, and three shutouts. His .926 save percentage is eighth in the league, while his 2.02 goals-against average is sixth.

In his last five games, all on the road, he is 4-0-1 with seven total goals against and back-to-back shutouts against the Detroit Red Wings and New York Islanders. Kochetkov has led the Hurricanes to a 16-6-6 record and second place, six points behind the division-leading New Jersey Devils.

This begs the question is Kochetkov should be the starter going forward. Andersen has not been able to stay healthy and Raanta, while a capable goaltender, is not getting younger. Kochetkov, the native of Penza, Russia, has been on a roll since coming into the league and it may be time to give him the net on a permanent basis. Although Anderson is due back the week of December 15th, Kochetkov may not be ready to leave the net just yet.

The NHL is getting younger and faster. With Kochetkov, he supplies both speed and youth. He plays his angles well, is aggressive between the pipes, and is always looking for more shots. While Andersen and Raanta are more experienced, Kochetkov has exactly what the Carolina Hurricanes want. A big, young goaltender, who recently signed an extension, is the goalie of the future that relies on his reflexes and instincts. Kochetkov has the tools to be a special goaltender in this league if given the opportunity. That opportunity could come much sooner as the Hurricanes continue to win with him in between the pipes.

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