What Happened
The Carolina Hurricanes announced a two-year, $7.9 million contract extension for goaltender Pyotr Kochetkov on Friday. The deal carries an average annual value of $3.95 million and runs through the 2028-29 season. Kochetkov, 27, is under contract for $2 million for the upcoming season. General manager Eric Tulsky said in a team statement that Kochetkov's aggressive style fits the team and that the organization believes in his ability to win games.
Key Details
- Extension is worth $7.9 million over two years, an AAV of $3.95 million.
- Kochetkov is signed for $2 million for the upcoming season.
- The extension keeps him under team control through the 2028-29 campaign.
- He posted a 6-2-0 record, 2.33 GAA and .899 save percentage last season.
- Carolina selected him in the second round, 36th overall, in the 2019 Draft.
- In 125 NHL games (120 starts), he has a 71-38-12 record, 2.46 GAA and .903 save percentage.
What It Means
The extension secures Carolina's goaltending depth after a season in which Kochetkov served as the third-stringer. With Frederik Andersen leaving for Edmonton in free agency and Brandon Bussi set to take over as the No. 1 after backstopping the Hurricanes to the Stanley Cup, Kochetkov remains a controllable option behind him. The $3.95 million AAV reflects a commitment to a 27-year-old goalie with 125 games of NHL experience.
What's Next
Kochetkov will play the upcoming season on his existing $2 million contract before the extension begins. He is expected to compete for playing time behind Brandon Bussi, who is slated to be Carolina's No. 1 goaltender.