Pyotr Kochetkov is off to the kind of start the Hurricanes have been waiting to see.
After a 2025-26 season cut short by hip surgery, the Carolina goalie has opened this year with two straight wins and the early numbers to match: a 2-0-0 record, a 1.95 goals-against average and a .940 save percentage. That’s a sharp turn from a year ago, when he played just nine games, went 6-2-0 with an .899 save percentage and a 2.33 goals-against average before missing the rest of the season and most of the playoffs. He did return for Games 4 through 6 of the Stanley Cup Final, but never got into a game.
The latest step came Thursday night against the Vancouver Canucks, when Kochetkov stopped 18 of 20 shots in a 7-2 Hurricanes win. He was tested in key moments all night, even with only three shots against in the first period. In his first start of 2026-27, he made 16 saves on 18 shots, finishing with an .889 save percentage.
For Carolina, that kind of stat line comes with some built-in context. The Hurricanes often don’t give up a heavy volume of shots, so their goalies can post sub-.900 save percentages and still walk away with wins.
But beyond the raw numbers, Kochetkov has looked more composed. Even when an aggressive poke check didn’t connect, he has seemed more patient and better at reading plays than in previous seasons.
The Hurricanes want him to use that poke check, just at the right time.
That belief in his upside has been there inside the organization for a while. Before the 2026-27 season, goalie coach Paul Schonfelder spoke with team reporter Walt Ruff about the crease, especially with Frederik Andersen not returning.
At the time, there were signs the job would fall to Kochetkov and Brandon Bussi. Schonfelder had also said in December 2025, on the Storm Report podcast, that Kochetkov could still become an elite NHL goalie.
Asked again whether he still felt that way, Schonfelder said, “I do. Again, obviously it’s a bit of a change not having Freddie here, but we’re super confident in the two goalies we have.
It’s great that Bus was able to do what he was able to do last year. He got the final three games of the Stanley Cup Final and got the job done.
That’s a huge confidence boost for him and our team. With PK, I do feel he has the ability to be an elite goalie in this league.
I see the talent. But with that being said, it is his third or fourth full year here, and now it’s time to take the bull by the horns.”
Kochetkov’s start matters even more after signing a two-year extension that will pay him $3.95 million annually. With 79 games left in the regular season, the Hurricanes need him to keep building on this opening stretch as he settles back in after the hip recovery.
Carolina appears set to lean on Kochetkov and Bussi as its goaltending tandem while defending its Stanley Cup title. General manager Eric Tulsky said the team is “comfortable” with them.
The Hurricanes are also riding a three-game winning streak since their 3-2 shootout win over the Philadelphia Flyers on Saturday, Oct. 3.
Next up is a back-to-back against the Chicago Blackhawks on Saturday and the Flyers again on Sunday, only eight days after the teams first met this season. Since Kochetkov started on Thursday, his next chance could come in Philadelphia, where he has already won this season.
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