Following Wednesday's shootout loss to the Minnesota Wild everyone online was singing the same tune. The Caniacs were lambasting Frederik Andersen's performance, pointing to his inability to make a save on either of Minnesota's breakaway goals, which most felt was the difference in the game. It didn't help that Jesper Wallstedt was unbelievable in stealing the show for the Wild.
I've never been one to be overly concerned about the state of the Hurricanes' netminders, but Andersen's recent performances have given me cause for concern. Honestly, his entire body of work this season has been subpar. While the team is getting points, earning at least one in seven of his 11 starts, Andersen's numbers are very ugly.
Andersen won four of his first five starts, stopping 23 of 24 against his former club in Anaheim and making 44 stops, his most as a Hurricane, in the crazy 5-4 shootout win over the Avalanche after the Canes lost three players before the end of the night. While his save percentage was still only .901, things appeared to be trending in the right direction.
Instead, things have started to snowball in the wrong direction. He's 1-3-2 over his last six. Some of those starts haven't been terrible, like his performances in losses to Boston and Washington, but the one win he does have during that stretch, a 4-3 win over the Wild in Raleigh, saw him allow three goals on Minnesota's first four shots.
This season, 52 goalies that have played 300 minutes, or five 60-minute games. Andersen ranks 36th in GAA (3.07) and 38th in save percentage (.883). His high-danger save percentage is 12th worst amongst those goalies at .774. Pyotr Kochetkov has a .947 save percentage in those situations, while Brandon Bussi's is .872, both of which are Top 10 among goalies to play a game this season.
It's easy to nitpick stats when they're to help you in any argument, but the eye test shows a lot of the same. There have been way too many times this season when it felt like Andersen has struggled, and it has only gotten worse over his last six starts. Kochetkov looks far more comfortable, and Bussi, while sparingly used since Kochetkov's return, has strung together some good performances, too.
What should the Hurricanes do about it?
There were a lot of fans suggesting that the Hurricanes needed to make a trade for a goalie, and those voices have grown louder in recent weeks. One name that I saw popping up during Wednesday's game was Nashville's Juuse Saros, who has struggled mightily over the last season and a quarter on Broadway.
Before Wednesday's game, I listed Nashville as a potential trade partner for the Canes, though I felt the likelihood of the Predators departing with Saros was low. While Saros' numbers are marginally better than Andersen's this season, he gives up a lot in the size department, at 5'11" compared to Andersen at 6'4". It feels like if they wanted to trade for a goalie, they would've done it this offseason.
As I said after Wednesday's contest, the obvious solution appears to be giving Pyotr Kochetkov the net for a bit. The Canes have tried to stay as true to their rotation as possible over the last few seasons. While injury concerns are always present, carrying three goalies should ease that worry a little. Kochetkov has been the Canes' best goalie since his return. Let him start a few games in a row.
History indicates that Rod Brind'Amour will be more than willing to give Andersen chances to work through this. The Canes play Friday night in Winnipeg, with Kochetkov being the likely starter. From there, decisions will need to be made. Do you go with Andersen or Bussi in Buffalo, and who do you want starting against the Rangers on Wednesday night with two extra days of rest?
It feels like a "wait and see" for the Hurricanes. I don't expect an overhaul in the net, but this isn't something they can sit idly by and watch get run into the ground without stepping in. Something needs to change. I think Kochetkov should be given the reins and prove that he can be this team's starter. He has waited long enough to get a real opportunity without injuries being a factor.