The Carolina Hurricanes, second in the Metropolitan Division with a 14-5-1 record, have lost both their starting goaltender and their backup to injury. Starting goaltender Frederik Andersen underwent knee surgery and is set to miss at least two months. Last night, young backup Pyotr Kochetkov left the game against Columbus in overtime after an awkward collision with his own teammate.
There’s been no injury update for Kochetkov, but Head Coach Rod Brind’Amour didn’t seem optimistic when he spoke with the media postgame. Assuming Kochetkov’s injury is as serious as it looked, Carolina is in need of a goaltender. Ryan Henkel of Yahoo! Sports suggests three trade candidates the Hurricanes could look to, one of them a familiar face.
Alex Nedeljkovic, currently with the Pittsburgh Penguins, would be a cheap acquisition. The Penguins are spiralling, and are eager to create a roster spot for young goaltender Joel Blomqvist. Nedeljkovic has struggled so far this season— .877 SV% and 3.42 GAA— so he could probably be had for a 4th round pick.
The Hurricanes could also look out West and give the San Jose Sharks a call and inquire about Mackenzie Blackwood or Vitek Vanecek. Blackwood is a pending Unrestricted Free Agent making $2.35 million. He’s performed well behind a rebuilding Sharks team. In 14 games played this season, he has a .907 SV%, 3.07 GAA and one shutout. San Jose, like Pittsburgh, is likely interested in moving a goaltender to create room on the roster for highly touted goaltending prospect Yaroslav Askarov, so Blackwood’s asking price might only be a 3rd or 4th round pick.
Vanecek, like Blackwood, is a pending unrestricted free agent, and makes $3.4 million. He has a .899 SV% and a 3.36 GAA. If San Jose retains salary, Carolina could probably get Vanecek for a 4th round pick.
Even if Kochetkov’s injury doesn’t turn out to be long-term, Andersen’s 8-12 week recovery time gives Carolina incentive to work the phones. Having too many goaltenders isn’t a bad thing. It’s certainly better than facing the possibility of having to turn to a third-string.
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