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Carolina Hurricanes: Best/ Worst Case Scenario for 2019 NHL Draft Picks

By Joshua Ryan

VANCOUVER, BC - JUNE 22: A general view of the draft floor prior to the Carolina Hurricanes pick during the third round of the 2019 NHL Draft at Rogers Arena on June 22, 2019 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. (Photo by Jonathan Kozub/NHLI via Getty Images)
VANCOUVER, BC - JUNE 22: A general view of the draft floor prior to the Carolina Hurricanes pick during the third round of the 2019 NHL Draft at Rogers Arena on June 22, 2019 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. (Photo by Jonathan Kozub/NHLI via Getty Images) /
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VANCOUVER , BC – JANUARY 5: Goaltender Pyotr Kochetkov #20 of Russia crouches in the crease against Switzerland during a bronze medal game at the IIHF World Junior Championships at Rogers Arena on January 5, 2019 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. (Photo by Kevin Light/Getty Images)
VANCOUVER , BC – JANUARY 5: Goaltender Pyotr Kochetkov #20 of Russia crouches in the crease against Switzerland during a bronze medal game at the IIHF World Junior Championships at Rogers Arena on January 5, 2019 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. (Photo by Kevin Light/Getty Images) /

Pyotr Kochetkov: Goaltender, Picked 36th in the 2nd Round

Best Case: Elite NHL Starter

Worst Case: Remains in the KHL

No matter how you look at it, Pyotr Kochetkov was a great selection. A position of need for the Hurricanes, great physical makeup for the position, great value for an early day two pick, and an incredible amount of skill for a player who already boasts a plethora of accomplishments.

Kotchetkov is a big, athletic, goaltender who has been said to employ an aggressive style in net. He is already 20 years old, which means his path to the NHL could be quicker than the goalies that Carolina has taken in the past. His incoming stint in the KHL shouldn’t delay his North American debut, but should aid in his development

His .953 Save Percentage at the World Juniors for Russia was an elite showing for the young net minder; while his .930 in 18 games for HK Ryazan also bodes well for his talent and confidence. Pyotr has been successful at every stop thus far in his career and has already reached another level in ability; leading the Canes to hope that he can continue to trend upward.

Need and fit is where Kothetkov’s potential stardom becomes a more likely probability. His style of play is reminiscent of the aggressive Petr Mrazek, and we all know the success that Mrazek and the Hurricanes had last season. The elite blue line that the Hurricanes possess means that Kotchetkov can remain aggressive and flourish stylistically within a system that is built to protect him.

Kotchetkov has all the tools. If he can remain healthy, and stay on track, there is little standing between him and a spot as a starting goaltender in the NHL

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