Pyotr Kochetkov is finally headed back toward NHL game action, and for Carolina’s goalie, that alone is a major milestone.
Nearly a year has passed since he last played, and Sunday’s preseason opener against the Florida Panthers gives him a first chance to step back into the crease after a long layoff. It’s not the same pressure as 274 days ago, but it still matters plenty for a netminder who has been waiting a long time for this moment.
"I'm excited of course because last season was not too good, not too fun for me," Kochetkov said. "Now I just see not too far.
Just taking it day-by-day and wait for preseason games. After that, just live step-by-step."
The 27-year-old had hip surgery in December of 2025 to deal with a nagging injury, and by the time he was cleared, the playoffs were already in progress. That left no real runway to get him game-ready. He did dress for parts of the Stanley Cup Final after Frederik Andersen got hurt, but he still hasn’t played an actual NHL game since the procedure.
That stretch away from the crease took a toll.
Kochetkov has dealt with injuries before, but this was a different kind of grind - a midseason surgery, a long recovery, and the frustration of being stuck on the sideline while his team kept rolling.
"It was tough," Kochetkov said. "I was very happy for the guys, but if you ask about how I felt, of course it was tough.
Never in my career have I played only 10 games. First time in my career where I lose so much time.
It was so tough mentally, but I have motivation this season to show who I am."
Still, he doesn’t sound like a goalie trying to reinvent himself. If anything, the time off seems to have sharpened his focus without changing his mindset.
"For me, not much changes," Kochetkov said. "Whether it was [Frederik Andersen], [Antti Raanta], now [Brandon Bussi], I have my own individual [thoughts] about what I think about myself.
For me, it's just play game and coach think who play next game. For me, nothing changes between this season, last season and the seasons before."
The opportunity in front of him is a big one. Kochetkov has long looked like the Hurricanes goalie with the highest ceiling, and the numbers back up the upside: he already has 11 career shutouts, which is nearly 10% of his total games played, and he has carried the load in multiple seasons.
But the inconsistency has been part of the package too. He’s had stretches where the game looks easy, and others where multi-game slides and confidence issues have crept in. Cleaning that up is the challenge now.
That matters even more with Kochetkov entering the final year of his contract.
"For me, it's an interesting season," Kochetkov said. "I have last season on my contract and so I'm excited. We have lots of games soon and hopefully I'll have lots of game time."
In Other News...
Brandon Bussi Faces Carolinas Biggest Pressure Point This Season
Brandon Bussis first season in Carolina already read like a turning point. Claimed off waivers last summer, he settled in quickly, stacked up a noteworthy rookie campaign and helped the Hurricanes reach the Stanley Cup finish line, moving from backup duty in the playoffs into a much larger role by the time the Finals arrived. For a goalie who came in with little fanfare, the year was a reminder of how fast trust can grow when the results are there.
Now the conversation shifts from surprise to expectation, and that is where the pressure changes shape. Carolina is asking Bussi to carry more of the load than he has before, and the standard for a team with championship ambitions is never gentle on the netminder. The question is no longer whether he can help the Hurricanes win games, but whether he can hold up as the one they lean on most when the season starts to stretch and the spotlight gets brighter. [Read more 🡒]
Hurricanes Bubble Battle Starts Fast Against A Much Tougher First Test
The Hurricanes are wasting no time getting a look at where their bubble players stand, opening a shortened preseason against the Panthers in a matchup that should tell them plenty about the first round of roster decisions. Carolina is expected to lean younger as it works through league requirements, while Florida is planning to bring a more veteran-heavy look to its exhibition slate, which makes this an early stress test more than a tune-up.
For Carolina, the eye test matters as much as the box score in these games, especially with Jesperi Kotkaniemi, Bradly Nadeau, Juha Jaaska and Juuso Valimaki among the names worth tracking. It also puts a spotlight on just how much the younger group can handle against a tougher opponent right away, with the Panthers set to provide a far more demanding first look than most preseason openers usually offer. [Read more 🡒]