Canes Goalie Speculation Time

[1320kid]

What does everyone think the most plausible scenario is when Andersen comes back given how well Kochetkov has held the fort down? I know there is a thread about Kochetkov already, but that is/was more regarding his potential. Dude is a legit starting goalie, we know this now. So the question is when Freddie returns are we going to A) see him resume the starting job over Kochetkov, B) Kochetkov is the starter with Andersen backing him up, or C) more of a pure 50/50 timeshare?

[2014olympicgold]

So lets say game #1 is Andersen's first game back

Game #1 to #10:
Andersen plays 3 games

Game #11 to #30:
If Andersen does well, it's a 50/50 split, if he doesn't. Backup

Game #31 to End of Season:
Canes figure out their G1 for the playoffs. I think it's Kochetkov. But Andersen could take it.


Let's put it this way. Kochetkov got signed to a 4yr deal. Andersen got a 2yr deal. They don't have that much faith in him.

It's the modern NHL though, a goalie injury could miraculously happen the second he's back and he regains the job.

[lucafen4]

Most likely scenario - he goes back to the AHL.
He's on an emergency loan and waiver exempt.
With Freddy's injury history I doubt the Canes risk losing Raanta to waivers and potentially leave themselves with a Kochetkov/Sawchenko duo if/when Freddy gets hurt again

[1320kid]

Most likely scenario - he goes back to the AHL.
He's on an emergency loan and waiver exempt.
With Freddy's injury history I doubt the Canes risk losing Raanta to waivers and potentially leave themselves with a Kochetkov/Sawchenko duo if/when Freddy gets hurt again

Wait what? I thought he signed a regular contract and not on loan?

[2014olympicgold]

Raanta has played 2 games in 3 weeks. I feel like he'll be the one that gets moved (left as G3) out of them.

Kochetkov is technically on Emerg Loan, but he signed a 4yr deal starting nextyr.

[audiopile]

All the advanced stats I looked at have Kochetkov as a top 10 and the other two are down in the 60s. If they want to win, they keep him up and in service.

[1320kid]

Ah I see. Thanks for the clarification. And as Audiopile points out, regardless of a contract situation it makes sense to keep him on the roster assuming he keeps playing well. So that loops us back around to what happens when Freddie is back, and giving him a few games to see if he can put up some good numbers is what I feel will happen... Isn't Rod known for riding the hot hand? If they both play well then we may be in for a 50/50 type of situation.

[lucafen4]

They can always waive Raanta and take the risk. Hutchinson is out there somewhere as an acquirable emerg back up

[J0e Th0rnton]

He's playing lights out. He is apparently beloved of the coach and his teammates despite not speaking much English. The fans have embraced him. RBA is probably going to throw a shitfit if Waddell tries to send Koochie down and the fans are going to mutiny.

[stevegamer]

Raanta has played 2 games in 3 weeks. I feel like he'll be the one that gets moved (left as G3) out of them.

Kochetkov is technically on Emerg Loan, but he signed a 4yr deal starting nextyr.

Him being on loan important. Kotchetkov is under contract, and therefore can play without being on emergency loan. However, they have some options.

1. Conditioning stint for Raanta. Plausible, since he hasn't played in ages, but they should be forced to move Kochetkov to the main roster to do so. I think this buys them a week to figure things out.

2. Raanta or Andersen get hurt again. Problem solved.

3. Send Kochetkov down since he's waiver exempt, then try to work a trade. Teams should be interested in Raanta with no salary retention at this point.

[1320kid]

Well then...if Kochetkov keeps this up looks like Freddie is gonna be a back up?

https://mobile.twitter.com/TheAthleticNHL/status/1606050698789064705

[ericdaoust]

Andersen should be eased back in splitting starts with Kochetkov. Raanta should be easy to waive/demote.

[VincentVega]

Andersen won't be a backup. Maybe 50/50 but I would bet Brind'Amour will lean more on his vet once he's back in the groove.

[jimc21]

He's playing lights out. He is apparently beloved of the coach and his teammates despite not speaking much English. The fans have embraced him. RBA is probably going to throw a shitfit if Waddell tries to send Koochie down and the fans are going to mutiny.

No question about it - you're spot-on here. I can't imagine that they will send him down no matter what their options may be. Raanta played well tonight vs PIT but he has mostly sucked until now. He may have redeemed himself short-term tonight. But when Freddie gets healthy (and nobody is really saying when that will be) they really are going to have a decision to make. Most of the talk around Raleigh is that they will keep all 3 on the active roster and scratch one every night. But you never know what Waddell will do.

[1320kid]

No question about it - you're spot-on here. I can't imagine that they will send him down no matter what their options may be. Raanta played well tonight vs PIT but he has mostly sucked until now. He may have redeemed himself short-term tonight. But when Freddie gets healthy (and nobody is really saying when that will be) they really are going to have a decision to make. Most of the talk around Raleigh is that they will keep all 3 on the active roster and scratch one every night. But you never know what Waddell will do.

So Raanta just won (albeit ugly wins, but wins nevertheless) back to back starts as Kochetkov was not “100%”. Muddies the water even more and having 3 might be the case as each tip toe around staying healthy the rest of the year. Super interesting situation.