Add another goaltender to the Carolina Hurricanes injury list. Pyotr Kochetkov has been placed into the NHL’s concussion protocol.
Kochetkov was injured in a collision with teammate Sean Walker during Saturday’s game against the Columbus Blue Jackets. There’s no specific timetable for Kochetkov to be returning to the lineup.
“He’s in that protocol and then we’ll see,” Hurricanes coach Rod Brind’Amour told the North State Journal. “You see some guys bounce back really quick, and some guys take longer. So hopefully it’s the bounce-back variety.”
Rod Brind'Amour says that Pyotr Kochetkov is in concussion protocol and there's no set timetable for his return right now.
— Walt Ruff (@WaltRuff) November 25, 2024
"You see some guys bounce back really quick, and some guys it takes longer." pic.twitter.com/C4PaGuBKxp
Kochetkov, 25, is 10-2-0 this season with a 2.42 goals-against average and .904 save percentage. He’s been carrying the load between the pipes for the Hurricanes in the absence of No. 1 goalie Frederik Andersen.
Andersen is going to require knee surgery to deal with an ongoing lower-body ailment. He’s not expected to be available again for the next 8-12 weeks.
In Kochetkov’s absence, third-stringer Spencer Martin will be asked to step up and fill the void. Martin shows a 1-2-1 record this season with a disappointing 3.21 GAA and dismal .870 save percentage.
Rookie Yaniv Perets is being summoned from the AHL Chicago Wolves to serve as Martin’s understudy. He’s displaying a 1-2-0 slate with a 2.67 GAA and .825 save percentage for the AHL Wolves.
“We’re fortunate that we’ve had Spencer here,” Brind’Amour said. “I think I feel good about that. And obviously after that, we’re not sure because we’ve never had any one of these young guys play yet, really. So, like I said, hopefully Kooch isn’t too long.”
The Hurricanes are playing host to the Dallas Stars on Monday night.