Hurricanes send Pyotr Kochetkov to AHL on conditioning stint

The Carolina Hurricanes announced on Friday evening that they have assigned goaltender Pyotr Kochetkov to their AHL affiliate Chicago Wolves on a conditioning stint.

Kochetkov has yet to dress for an NHL regular season game this year after suffering a lower-body injury during a team practice following the conclusion of Carolina’s preseason schedule.

The move will allow Kochetkov to get back up to game speed while the Hurricanes have a manageable schedule. The 26-year-old Russian netminder will be eligible to remain with the Wolves for two weeks. Kochetkov is coming off a a 2024-25 campaign that saw him record a 2.60 goals against average a .898 save percentage in what was the statistical low-point of his promising young career.

With Kochetkov sidelined, the Hurricanes have relied upon the tandem of starter Frederik Andersen and backup Brandon Bussi in goal.

Andersen has gone 4-2-0 in his six starts while posting a 3.11 GAA and a .892 SV% The Danish veteran has been able to work in some extra rest despite Kochetkov’s absence because Bussi has performed at a high level.

Claimed off waivers before the start of the season, Bussi has shined in his first taste of NHL action, earning a 3-1-0 record while holding opponents to a 2.25 GAA on a .916 SV%.

Kochetkov’s absence is far from the only injury the Hurricanes have dealt with, as defensemen Jaccob Slavin, K’Andre Miller and Shayne Gostisbehere have all missed significant portions of the season so far along with forwards William Carrier and Eric Robinson.

The Hurricanes went are 7-3-0 overall after a 6-2 win over the Islanders on Thursday night. Carolina went 4-2-0 on a West Coast road trip earlier in October, and they’re getting set to embark on a shorter road trip to the Northeast now.

The Canes are back in action on Saturday in Boston against the Bruins for a matinee puck drop at 1:00 PM EST.