Hurricanes Secure Kochetkov with Two-Year, $7.9M Deal
Carolina signed goaltender Pyotr Kochetkov to a two-year, $7.9 million extension carrying a $3.95 million cap hit, keeping him through 2028-29. Kochetkov, who had hip surgery last December, appeared in nine games last season with a 2.33 goals-against average and .899 save percentage. The deal pairs him with Brandon Bussi, giving the Hurricanes two goalies under contract for three seasons at a combined cost under $6 million.
The contract structure front-loads guaranteed money through signing bonuses, with Kochetkov earning $3.9 million in 2027-28 and $4 million in 2028-29. His recovery from December hip surgery allowed him to serve as the emergency backup during the Stanley Cup Final, though he never saw game action behind Brandon Bussi.
Carolina's goaltending tandem now costs less than $6 million combined through 2028-29, a bargain for a defending champion. Kochetkov's career numbers — a 2.46 goals-against average and .905 save percentage across 125 games — suggest the team is betting on his pre-injury form returning as they pursue a repeat.
This deal could signal how contending teams increasingly value cost-efficient goaltending duos over a single high-priced starter. Fans may see more aggressive cap management across the league as clubs follow Carolina's model of locking up younger netminders at team-friendly rates. The extension could also affect Kochetkov's confidence and recovery timeline, as the organization's commitment may ease pressure on him to perform immediately. For the Hurricanes' fanbase, it provides stability heading into their title defense, though the health risk from his recent surgery remains a factor worth monitoring.