Carolina Hurricanes News

Joseph was absent from practice on Thursday and is unlikely to suit up on Friday against the Utah Mammoth. The 26-year-old defenseman is averaging 11:50 time-on-ice and has one assist in 11 games this season.

Reilly will slot in for K'Andre Miller, who is out with an illness. Reilly has appeared in 19 games this season, logging one goal and four assists.

Miller has already missed six games this season due to injuries and is unavailable again onThursday due to illness. The 25-year-old defenseman is averaging a career-high 23:02 time-on-ice and has 11 points (2G / 9A) in 19 games this season.

Miller has already missed six games this season due to injuries and his status on Thursday is uncertain due to illness. The 25-year-old defenseman is averaging a career-high 23:02 time-on-ice and has 11 points (2G / 9A) in 19 games this season.

Joseph was absent from practice on Thursday and it is unclear if he will be ready when Vancouver returns to action tomorrow against the Utah Mammoth. The 26-year-old defenseman is averaging 11:50 time-on-ice and has one assist in 11 games this season.

Kochetkov has not played since November 17th, when he reaggravated an injury that kept him sidelined for the first month of the season. The 26-year-old Kochetkov had been outstanding between the pipes since making his season debut at the beginning of November, posting a 1.70 GAA and .926 SV% in five appearances (4-0-0). That said, injury concerns mixed with a potential three-goalie carousel in Carolina limit Kochetkov's fantasy value this season.

Kotkaniemi has not played since suffering a lower-body injury on November 14th, but was a full participant at practice on Tuesday as he nears his return. The 25-year-old Kotkaniemi scored five points (2G / 3A) in 15 games before his injury.

With Pyotr Kochetkov (lower body) still sidelined, Rod Brind’Amour and the Hurricanes coaching staff are rewarding Brandon Bussi with consecutive starts. The 27-year-old Bussi had a light night in Friday’s 5-1 win over the Winnipeg Jets, but was near perfect, saving 12 of 13 shots (.923 SV%). The 27-year-old first-year NHLer looks to improve his 2.43 GAA and .899 SV% through seven games (6-1-0) when he tends the twine on Sunday against the Calgary Flames.

Robidas appeared in two games during his call-up but gets sent back to the AHL with Jordan Staal expected to return to the lineup. Robidas has 12 points (4G / 8A) in 16 AHL games this season.

With Pyotr Kochetkov (lower body) sidelined, the Hurricanes are relying on the services of Frederik Andersen and Brandon Bussi, who will tend the twine on Friday against the Winnipeg Jets. The 27-year-old Bussi has been serviceable since making his NHL debut earlier this season, posting a 2.67 GAA and .897 SV% in six games (5-1-0). If Kochetkov's injury lingers, Bussi has an opportunity to see an increased workload if he can outduel his counterpart, Frederik Andersen.