Brandon Bussi Is For Real - And the Hurricanes May Have Found Their Goalie of the Future
Every season, there’s a player who seemingly comes out of nowhere and forces the league to take notice. This year, that player might just be Brandon Bussi. The 27-year-old goaltender has gone from waiver-wire pickup to one of the NHL’s most efficient netminders - and the Carolina Hurricanes are reaping the rewards.
Bussi’s breakout campaign isn’t just a feel-good story - it’s turning into a legitimate case for Vezina Trophy consideration. That’s not hyperbole. The numbers speak volumes, and more importantly, the timing of his emergence couldn’t be better for a Hurricanes team navigating uncertainty in their goaltending depth chart.
From AHL Standout to NHL Breakthrough
Bussi’s path to this point has been anything but conventional. He signed with the Boston Bruins as an undrafted free agent back in March 2022 and spent the next few years quietly building a strong resume in the AHL with the Providence Bruins. Over three seasons in Providence, he posted a 60-29-9 record with a 2.61 goals-against average and a .914 save percentage - solid numbers that earned him a spot on the AHL All-Rookie Team in 2023.
But even with that success, Bussi couldn’t find a permanent NHL home. After his contract with Boston ended, he signed a one-year, two-way deal with the Florida Panthers on July 1, 2025.
That stint was short-lived. Just three months later, Carolina claimed him off waivers on October 5.
That’s when everything changed.
Since arriving in Raleigh, Bussi has seized the moment. He’s 18-3-1 on the year, with a .904 save percentage, a 2.20 goals-against average, and one shutout.
In his last five games alone, he’s gone 4-1 while allowing just 10 goals. And it’s not just about the win-loss column - the underlying metrics back up the eye test.
He ranks second in the league in high-danger save percentage at .870, and his 63.6% quality start rate shows he’s not just riding the coattails of a strong team - he’s delivering when it matters. His 18 wins rank eighth in the NHL, as does his GAA. That’s elite territory for any goalie, let alone one in his first full NHL season.
What Should Carolina Do Now?
The Hurricanes are in an interesting spot. They’ve found something in Bussi - a goaltender who’s not only playing well but doing so with consistency and poise. And yet, his future with the team isn’t locked in.
Bussi is set to become an unrestricted free agent after the 2026-27 season. His current deal carries an annual average value of just $755,000 - a bargain by any standard, especially considering the level he’s playing at. The question now is whether GM Eric Tulsky should act quickly to secure Bussi long-term or wait to see if this level of play is sustainable.
There’s a strong case to be made for locking him up now.
Carolina’s goaltending depth beyond this season is murky. Frederik Andersen, a veteran presence when healthy, is also a UFA in 2026-27 - but his injury history raises real questions about his reliability moving forward.
Pyotr Kochetkov has shown flashes and is under contract through 2027-28, but he hasn’t fully cemented himself as the long-term answer. Meanwhile, the Hurricanes’ prospect pipeline doesn’t currently feature a surefire NHL starter.
That leaves Bussi as the most intriguing option - and perhaps the most reliable one.
He may not have a long NHL track record yet, but he’s showing all the signs of a goaltender who can handle a starter’s workload. He’s responded well to pressure, delivered quality starts, and kept his team in games consistently. That’s exactly what you want from a number-one goalie.
The Clock Is Ticking
If Carolina doesn’t move to extend Bussi, someone else will. His age (27) makes him a prime candidate for a team-friendly deal that still gives him term and security. For the Hurricanes, that could mean locking in a high-upside goaltender without breaking the bank - a win-win scenario for a club that’s built its success on smart roster decisions and strong defensive play.
And make no mistake: Bussi’s success isn’t just about numbers. It’s about timing, opportunity, and delivering when the team needs it most. He didn’t just fill in - he elevated the position.
Now, the Hurricanes have a decision to make. Do they bet on the goalie who’s already proving he belongs, or risk losing him to a team that’s paying closer attention than most?
One thing’s for sure - Brandon Bussi isn’t just a good story. He’s a good goalie. And Carolina might want to make sure he stays that way - in a Hurricanes sweater.