Carolina Hurricanes' Pyotr Kochetkov Out For Season

The Carolina Hurricanes will have to rely on their goaltending depth as goaltender Pyotr Kochetkov is undergoing surgery and is expected to be out for the season.

The 26-year-old Russian netminder has appeared in just nine games this season, posting a 6-2-0 record, with a 2.33 goals against average and .899 save percentage. Kochetkov is owed $2 million AAV this season and next, and the Hurricanes will move ahead with the tandem of Frederik Andersen and one of the biggest stories of the season in Brandon Bussi.

Kochetkov's surgery is to repair a lower-body injury that's been lingering all season long. While the initial rehab route was taken, turns out surgery is required, and it's a tough blow for the division-leading Hurricanes.

Oh no.

Rod Brind'Amour shares pre-game that Pyotr Kochetkov is having surgery to fix the lower-body injury he's been dealing with this season and is "probably out for the year." pic.twitter.com/Pd0pqG45hz

— Walt Ruff (@WaltRuff) December 29, 2025

In a corresponding move, Carolina recalled defenseman Gavin Bayreuther from their AHL affiliate Chicago Wolves. Bayreuther is a 6-foot-2, 31-year-old with 122 games of NHL experience. He last appeared during the 2022-23 season with Columbus. This year, he’s recorded 13 points in 24 AHL games with Chicago.

Photo credit:  Steve Roberts-Imagn Images