Every option must be on the table with Kochetkov's election for season-ending surgery

It has been a whirlwind few days for the Carolina Hurricanes and their goalies. On Saturday, Brandon Bussi led the Canes to a 5-2 victory over the Red Wings. On Sunday morning, every indication was that Pyotr Kochetkov would get the start against the Rangers. By 3 pm on Monday, not only was he not starting, but Kochetkov wouldn't even be dressed after being abruptly placed on IR.

During the head coach's availability before Monday's contest, the team announced that Kochetkov elected to get hip surgery to address the issue that saw him in and out of the lineup this season. The surgery would likely keep him out for the remainder of the campaign, bringing an abrupt end to a tough few months for Kochetkov.

Knowing that this issue was a hip injury makes what he was able to do when he was in the lineup a little more impressive. Kochetkov made nine appearances this season after beginning the year on IR. He shut out the Rangers in his season debut at Madison Square Garden and won six of his eight decisions while posting a 2.33 GAA, tied for the lowest of his career in a small sample size.

Obviously, on a human level, you hate this news for Kochetkov while understanding his decision. In just a few short years, he has become one of the team's most endearing personalities. Kochetkov has been hampered by injury trouble throughout his young career, preventing him from taking over as the team's full-time starter. We wish him the best with his surgery and recovery.

Frederik Andersen has another chance to regain his confidence

While you hate it for Kochetkov, it remains business as usual for the Hurricanes on the ice. The rest of the league won't feel any sympathy for them, especially with injuries being a major issue for everyone else. Kochetkov's exit from the lineup brings a big opportunity for Frederik Andersen to get back to his old self.

It has been an uncharacteristically bad season for Andersen as we approach the halfway point. He hasn't won a game in almost two months, going 0-5-2 in his last seven decisions. Andersen has allowed three or more goals in each, posting a .834 save percentage. Not every start has been completely on him, but Andersen has failed to make the timely stop when his team needs it.

The opposite has been true for Bussi, who stepped in and beat the Rangers on Monday in Kochetkov's absence. He moved to 13-1-1 by earning a point in his 12th straight start and improved on his league-best GAA (2.08). This puts Andersen in line to start tonight in Pittsburgh, a team he has good career numbers against (7-5-0, .931 save percentage, 2.24 GAA).

If Andersen doesn't turn it around, it will be time to make a move

Given their current situation, the leash for Andersen might be a little longer for the organization than it will be for the fans. If he continues to lose, there might be a mob ready to run him out of town. Meanwhile, the coaching staff and the front office are more likely to wait and see if Andersen rights the ship.

However, if he doesn't, the Canes might have no choice but to look elsewhere for a solution. The goalie market can be fickle, though we've already seen a goalie swap this season between Edmonton and Pittsburgh. The move hasn't worked out for either, with Tristan Jarry out with an injury and Stuart Skinner struggling in three starts with the Penguins.

The greatest issue they'll run into in trying to acquire a goalie is the lack of tantalizing options that are likely to be available. Most of the better ones will cost you a fortune. Even then, most teams with franchise goalies aren't keen on moving them. The Canes would be fighting an uphill battle, which probably isn't appetizing in late December or early January.

The good news is that the trade deadline isn't until early March, giving them, at most, two months to evaluate the market, should the moment call for it. Until then, the team will ride with Brandon Bussi and Frederik Andersen in the net. Worst comes to worst, the Canes call upon Cayden Primeau if they get in a bind. It just adds another layer of intrigue in an already wild season.