-Gabriel Dorris-

Hockey season is looming, and the Carolina Hurricanes once again look like clear cup contenders. With what is probably the best defense in the NHL, and an offense that is solid in it’s own right, you could argue that the biggest wildcard this season for the Canes is their goaltending. The team has 3 goalies who are going to battle it out for starts. These goaltenders are Frederik Andersen, Antti Raanta, and Pyotr Kochetkov. Andersen is a veteran who after an incredible performance in last years playoffs opted to stay in Raleigh on a two year, $7m extension. Antti Raanta is also a veteran, aged 34, and is pretty much all you could ask for in a backup. Pyotr Kochetkov is a young wildcard who had a phenomenal start to last year’s campaign that ended up going downhill after he won the ROTM award in December

With his performance in last year’s playoffs, Freddie seems like the obvious starter going into the upcoming season; and as of right now, he is likely going to be goalie #1. Behind him, Raanta and Kochetkov will probably share the remaining starts. Assuming no injuries, I think we see something along the lines of a 40-21-21 game split. However, Pyotr may get a few more starts than Raanta depending on what the front office’s strategy for him is this year. Despite the Canes lacking an affiliate, “PK” may also end up getting playing time in the AHL, but for this to work out the Canes would have to make a deal with another NHL group to have him play for their American League team.

However, I believe that what is stated above is not the most likely scenario. Andersen and Raanta have both had injury struggles throughout their careers, and last year was no exception. Due to injury, Andersen didn’t play in the playoffs until game 6 against the Islanders, and in the regular season, he missed a stretch of 29 games after reactivating an injury he took in an April game against the Avalanche back in the 2021-22 season. Raanta was healthier as a whole, but his injuries in December and March forced the Canes to play Kochetkov for a significant portion of the year.

If one or both of Freddie and Raanta do get injured, then suddenly a lot more weight will be placed on the shoulders of the Cane’s 24 year old “goalie of the future”. If this does happen, Kochetkov will have the chance to solidify himself as the Canes starter in the 2024-25 season, something the front office is likely expecting and hoping for, considering the cheap, short term deals they signed both Raanta and Andersen to this offseason. If Kochetkov struggles with both veterans down, then the Canes will be in goalie trouble not only this year, but likely next season too.

Kochetkov is one of the highest potential young goalies in the NHL right now, and throughout his young career, he has shown many glimpses of what he can and should be. I firmly believe that PK will be the Canes starter in the 2024-25 season and for many to come, but for this season, I see Andersen getting the majority or at least plurality of starts, and having yet another strong season with the Canes.