Here’s what’s next for Carolina Hurricanes goaltending quandary
Pyotr Kochetkov, set to be the Carolina Hurricanes’ starting goalie, was quickly in and out of the locker room Sunday after an early morning skate at PNC Arena.
Later, rookie goalie Yaniv Perets, who few could have expected to be there Sunday, came walking into the room following the skate, soon to be surrounded by media to discuss his call-up.
Antti Raanta was not there but his pads, mask and gear were, neatly stored away in his locker stall. Raanta was placed on NHL waivers Saturday by the Canes, but the veteran was not claimed by any team Sunday.
Then, there was Frederik Andersen. The goalie has not played since Nov. 2 because of a blood-cutting issue, but was going through a light workout with Bill Burniston, the team’s strength and conditioning coach.
Some situation, yes? It’s a goaltending quandary for a team that some oddsmakers made to be the preseason pick to win the 2024 Stanley Cup.
Raanta’s absence Sunday was a downer. One could sense it in the room as the Canes prepared to face the Washington Capitals in a 6 p.m. game.
“Obviously a well-liked guy,” center Sebastian Aho said. “Gets along with everyone, very positive. Just a great teammate. Obviously it’s tough to see that stuff happen but at the same time it’s a business we’re all in.”
Canes coach Rod Brind’Amour knows the business as much as anyone. You’re a pro. You have to perform or changes are made. They can be painful.
“He’s been a part of our group for a while and you don’t like to see that,” Brind’Amour said of Raanta. “But obviously his game wasn’t quite there and that’s an important position. Other players can have a little off time, which they do, but when a goalie’s not quite there it’s glaring.
“It is what it is, I guess. … Everybody’s got a job to do. We’ve got to go hard and find a way to get two points.”
Brind’Amour there were no lingering injury concerns that have affected Raanta’s poor play of late. He allowed six goals Friday in the 6-5 overtime loss to Nashville and recently gave up eight goals in a bad loss to Tampa Bay – both games at home.
“It’s not at all like it’s all on him,” Aho said. “That’s never how it works, where it’s one guy. Obviously goalie is a tough job. You’re either the hero or the anti-hero.”
Aho said Raanta’s situation could be a “wakeup call” for a team that has been all too inconsistent this season.
“We all have a job to do. Obviously we haven’t been performing as well as our standards. That has to change. Everyone has to take a look in the mirror and show up and do their best.”
As for what’s next with the goaltending, Brind’Amour said owner Tom Dundon would be the one to make that call. One doesn’t expect the Canes to stand pat, especially with Andersen’s return still uncertain.
Perets, 23, helped Quinnipiac win the 2023 NCAA championship, putting up some incredible numbers, then signed a two-year entry-level contract with Carolina. He was at the team’s prospects development camp in July and was assigned to the Norfolk Admirals of the ECHL for his first pro season.
Then came the call Saturday from the Canes. He was needed – now. He said he was in Three Rivers, Quebec, Canada, with the Admirals and quickly shifted gears.
“I called my parents right away,” he said. “It was a pretty exciting moment, obviously. Definitely had some tears. But it’s all right. I’m here now.”
Everything was so rushed that when interviewed Sunday morning by the media he said he was not sure if an official announcement had been made on his recall. It had, just before the skate began.
“With hockey anything can happen,” Perets said. “I’m just happy to be here and happy for any opportunity that presents itself.
“It’s hockey. You’ve got to stop the puck. It doesn’t really matter where you go, where you’re at. You’ve got a job to do and that’s all that matters.”
