Carolina Hurricanes sign goalie Pyotr Kochetkov to two-year extension

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — The Carolina Hurricanes have signed goaltender Pyotr Kochetkov to a two-year extension running through the 2028-29 season with an average annual value of $3.95 million.

The reigning Stanley Cup champions announced the deal Friday, coming as the 27-year-old netminder will make $2 million this year and was due to become an unrestricted free agent.

The deal will pay $2.4 million with a $1.5 million signing bonus for the 2027-28 season, then $3 million with a $1 million signing bonus for 2028-29.

“Pyotr is an incredibly talented goalie whose aggressive style fits our team very well,” general manager Eric Tulsky said in a statement. “We believe in his ability to win games for this organization and are thrilled he wants to continue helping us pursue championships in Carolina.”

Kochetkov missed most of last year with a lower-body injury, going 6-2 with a 2.33 goals-against average and .899 save percentage in nine appearances with Carolina.

The 2019 second-round pick is set to form a tandem this year with Brandon Bussi, last year’s waiver-wire wonder who won 31 regular-season games and posted a shutout in Game 6 against Vegas to clinch the franchise’s second Cup title.

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