Kochetkov is a good goalie and someone the Canes are hoping is their goalie of the future. I highly doubt they're interested in blocking him long-term with Binnington and his contract. I certainly don't think they'd trade Necas and thin themselves out at forward to do so. Freddy Anderson is a solid goalie too so it's not like they're thin at the position when healthy.
I love Binnington, but what he did in the playoffs on the run to the Cup was almost a half decade ago and last season aside, he hasn't performed at the level of someone who you would think a playoff team is going to give up a premium asset like Necas to add.
I've said it before and I'll say it again, if the Blues were in a playoff series today, I'd feel great with Binnington as our starting goaltender. I just don't think people around the league put him on the same pedestal.
I'm pretty high on Kochetkov myself. Every time the Canes have started the playoffs, he's been relegated to backup behind Andersen.
He's played a total of 6 playoff games over the past 3 years. Andersen was hurt in 21-22 when Kochetkov played 4 games. I believe Raanta was as well, but can't recall.
In the only 2022-23 playoff game Kochetkov played ~40 mins, I can't seem to find if he was pulled due to poor performance or if he entered in relief due to injury.
I think the Canes may be more receptive than you think about pulling in a playoff goalie like Binner. Kochetkov hasn't seized the role in any given season with the Canes, he's risen to the occasion when Raanta/Andersen have been out in previous seasons. That's a very important distinction.
Andersen has now missed significant time in 4/5 past seasons with his current absence. Worth noting is that Rod Brind'Amour is on record stating that Freddy will be out long term currently and the Canes are contemplating if surgery is necessary (link below).
I believe Kochetkov will be trusted to get the Canes through the regular season if Spencer Martin shows himself to be a competent backup but if Freddy isn't on track to return before the playoffs - I expect a move to acquire a more veteran goalie with a playoff track record to happen before the TDL.
I don't think the current front office will hold back on trying to capitalize on the current window - adding Binnington would see both goalies become UFAs after the 2026-27 season. They could easily run a 1A/B tandem and extend Kochetkov in the 2026 off-season to soothe any hurt feelings. And I'd imagine a cup ring would probably mitigate those too.
The Carolina Hurricanes are dealing with an unspecified injury to goaltender Frederik Andersen that could keep him out for an extended period.
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