Pyotr Kochetkov
Kochetkov is the hotter half of a Carolina tandem with Brandon Bussi: he is 7-0-0 and has taken a growing share of starts, but the split has not settled and his health history is the main risk.
Role
He is a tandem goalie with no line or power-play role. Daily Faceoff's news feed (checked 26 October) says Rod Brind'Amour started Bussi in the first two games of the season, then leaned more on Kochetkov. By the 20 October item he was on his sixth start in nine games. Daily Faceoff lists starts for 17 October at Winnipeg, 20 October at Vancouver and 24 October at St. Louis. ESPN's player page shows seven games and seven starts, all wins, so Bussi has had the rest. I did not find workload percentages, and I did not fetch Daily Faceoff's starting-goalies page, so I can't say who is next in the rotation. The Hurricanes are the reigning Cup champions, and ESPN says Bussi won 31 regular-season games last year. Kochetkov signed a two-year extension on 25 September, announced by the club.
He is undefeated and has been getting more starts. ESPN shows a 1.70 GAA, a .916 save percentage and a first shutout (24 saves against St. Louis on 24 October). Daily Faceoff's 20 October note called the run of starts deserved. GM Eric Tulsky called him incredibly talented with an aggressive style that fits the team. The Hockey News notes he handled 47 and 42 games in the two seasons before last, which shows he can carry a tandem workload. ESPN's fantasy page ranks him fourth among goalies, with 65.3 percent rostered.
The sample is seven games, and a .916 save percentage is good but not elite. Last season he missed most of the year with a lower-body injury. He went 6-2 with a .899 save percentage in nine appearances, and his career mark is .905 (The Hockey News). The Hockey News also says health has been his biggest obstacle. Bussi is the reigning Cup-winning goalie and started the first two games. A 7-0 record on a strong team can reverse quickly if the save percentage slips, and the share of starts is the coach's call.
Where analysts split
The open question is how the starts split between Kochetkov and Bussi. Daily Faceoff describes a drift toward Kochetkov that could become a clear lead if his results hold. The coach's approach, as Daily Faceoff describes it, is a more balanced rotation, and Bussi's title-winning season keeps him in the picture. I found no analyst piece arguing either side at length, so this is an inference from the start pattern, not a stated debate.
Research confidence: reported. Outlooks are grounded in web search over current reporting and refreshed through the season.
Others at G
Fantasy Memo reads your league and answers that every Monday, and checks your lineup on the days you play.
Connect your league: 14 days free