The NHL playoffs are just over a week away, and the Carolina Hurricanes are rolling into the tournament with one of their strongest teams in recent memory. Carolina clinched the top seed in the Eastern Conference after their shootout loss to the Philadelphia Flyers on Monday. Carolina’s season finale will take place on Tuesday against the New York Islanders, and the Hurricanes are starting to get their roster in order before the playoffs.
Per team announcement on Monday, netminder Pyotr Kochetkov has been recalled from Carolina’s AHL affiliate, the Chicago Wolves.
GettySUNRISE, FLORIDA – MAY 24: Pyotr Kochetkov #52 of the Carolina Hurricanes takes a break during the game against the Florida Panthers in Game Three of the Eastern Conference Final of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Amerant Bank Arena on May 24, 2025 in Sunrise, Florida. The Panthers defeated the Hurricanes 6-2. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
More NHL on Heavy: Rangers Captain Gives Bizarre Evaluation on Dismal Season
Carolina Hurricanes Recall Pyotr Kochetkov; Will he Play in NHL Playoffs?
Per Heavy on Sports news write-up of the Kochetkov decision:
“Kochetkov was recalled by the Hurricanes from AHL Chicago on Monday. After his conditioning stint in the AHL, Kochetkov is set to join the Hurricanes for the first time since sustaining his hip injury in late December. The 26-year-old netminder would have to be activated from injured reserve before returning to action, but his recall from a conditioning loan suggests that could happen in the coming days. When healthy, he has played decently well with a 6-2-0 record, a 2.33 GAA and an .899 save percentage across nine appearances this season. If he’s activated Tuesday, he’ll have the chance to appear in Carolina’s regular-season finale versus the Islanders for a tune-up game before potentially playing a sizable role in the team’s goalie rotation for the playoffs.”
More NHL on Heavy: Rangers Scratch Fortescue for Financial Reasons, Eye Future
Carolina Hurricanes Are Rolling Into NHL Playoffs
GettyBOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS – NOVEMBER 17: Marat Khusnutdinov #92 of the Boston Bruins reaches for a puck in front of Pyotr Kochetkov #52 of the Carolina Hurricanes during the first period at TD Garden on November 17, 2025 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
It’s been a long time since Pyotr Kochetkov has lined up inside the pipes of an NHL game and seen shots on net from big-time scorers, but this move does bring up the notion that if necessary, Pyotr may be able to see some time in the net.
ProHockeyRumors.com Ethan Hetu gave some insight on where Kochetkov stands in the Hurricanes’ goalie rotation:
“Where Kochetkov stands in the Hurricanesâ goalie rotation at this stage of the season is unclear. Despite the fact that Kochetkov has been with the Hurricanes since 2021-22, and the team has gone on numerous deep playoff runs since that point, heâs been limited to no more than four games played in any single one of the teamâs postseason trips. His playoff save percentage is also just .860. That, combined with the fact that he has just nine games played this season, makes him, on paper, a somewhat unlikely candidate to play in the Hurricanesâ upcoming run.”
More NHL on Heavy: Capitalsâ Alex Ovechkin Gives Major Clue On His Future
Like Heavy Sports’s content? Be sure to follow us.
This article was originally published on Heavy Sports
The post Hurricanes Announce Pyotr Kochetkov News Ahead of NHL Playoffs appeared first on Heavy Sports.