There has always been a love-hate relationship between the Caniacs and their goaltending group. It has been especially rocky at times over the last few seasons, with Frederik Andersen and Pyotr Kochetkov each playing a central role. Despite this relationship, the duo is back once again, manning the net as the team's tandem for the 2025-26 season.
With Andersen returning on a one-year deal and Kochetkov in the third year of a four-year deal, the duo is very cost-effective for the team. Combining to make $4.75 million this season, they're the fourth-cheapest goalie room in the league. However, being cost-effective doesn't necessarily mean the best, nor does it mean the healthiest.
Last season
Pyotr Kochetkov: 27-16-3/.897/2.60/2 shutouts in 47 games/1-1/.855/3.60 in the playoffs
Frederik Andersen: 13-8-1/.899/2.50/1 shutout in 22 games/8-5/.907/2.02 in the playoffs
The plan was for Andersen and Kochetkov to alternate starts. Andersen earned the Opening Night start in defeat, but Kochetkov helped the team rebound for its first win over the Devils four days later. They continued to alternate between the pipes as they moved west for their road trip. However, Andersen suffered a knee injury following a win in Seattle, sidelining him for almost three months.
With Kochetkov assuming control of the the net, it was a perfect chance for him to show that he can be the long-term starter. In his defense, he went 6-1-0 over his next seven starts, but he, too, suffered an injury in an eventual shootout loss to Columbus, putting the team's starting duo on the shelf. Kochetkov wasn't out as long, missing four games before returning in early December.
Over the next month and a half before Andersen's return, Kochetkov remained the team's go-to guy, though the results weren't great. He went 7-7-2, but he didn't always get great goal support from the group. Kochetkov made a little history during a game at Madison Square Garden, beating the Rangers 3-1 with the second multi-point game for a goalie in organization history.
Once Andersen returned from his knee injury, the revolving door continued to spin as the tandem stayed healthy the rest of the way. The only exception to the rotation was the game before and after the 4 Nations break, with Kochetkov starting both games, albeit weeks apart.
Each goalie made 18 starts over the final 36 games, and their numbers were eerily similar. Both went 10-7-1. Both allowed exactly 49 goals. Andersen had an .890 save percentage. Kochetkov's was .888. They played well enough to help the Canes earn a playoff berth, but their overall play was underwhelming. The Canes finished the year with the worst save percentage of the 16 playoff teams.
Andersen earned the nod to start the postseason in the net, and he was phenomenal. He allowed just six goals through the first three games and a period, but an injury in Game 4 of the New Jersey series forced Kochetkov into action. He maintained the team's lead to snatch a 3-1 series advantage before earning the win in Game 5 to finish the series.
As they advanced to face the division champion Washington Capitals, Andersen was healthy and ready to go. He stymied the Capitals for five games, allowing six goals in a series win. Things fell apart in the conference finals. Andersen dropped the first two games. Kochetkov lost in Game 3, but Andersen shut out the Panthers in Game 4 before allowing five in a Game 5 season-ending loss.
Bold Prediction: Andersen & Kochetkov allow the fewest goals in the East
Last season was without a doubt a down year for the Hurricanes' goaltending. I believe that means they're due for a big rebound this year. A lot of that will be contingent on their health. While their save percentage was bad, the Canes still allowed the tenth-fewest goals in the league, finishing sixth in the Eastern Conference.
With the defense seeing some small changes and getting younger, with K'Andre Miller and Alexander Nikishin coming into the lineup in place of Brent Burns and Dmitry Orlov, it could be beneficial for the men in the crease. I won't go so far as to claim the Hurricanes will win the Jennings Trophy, especially with some great goalies in the Western Conference, but I do think they'll be the best in the East.
If both Andersen and Kochetkov can stay healthy this season, the Hurricanes will be in a great spot. I have every confidence in Cayden Primeau, the third-stinger and projected AHL starter, to step in and perform, but I would prefer if we didn't have to get that far. There will be an immense amount of pressure on the Canes' netminders this season. It'll be on them to accept the challenge.