Hurricanes Make Goaltending Decision

With Frederik Andersen out indefinitely, many believe that the Carolina Hurricanes are still in the market for a goalie. But it won't be Jaroslav Halak, who was officially released from his PTO Monday morning. 

The #Canes have released goaltender Jaroslav Halak from his free agent tryout.

As for Pyotr Kochetkov, today was a maintenance day. pic.twitter.com/XCz74UzhVs

— Walt Ruff (@WaltRuff) November 20, 2023

The Canes brought in the 38-year-old Halak on a tryout, but head coach Rod Brind'Amour says at this point, without an NHL contract, that it was Halak's decision to end the PTO, though he also called the parting "mutual." 

He added that they'll continue to go with the current tandem of Antti Raanta and Pyotr Kochetkov for now, and would even be "comfortable" if third-stringer Yaniv Perets, who is with ECHL Norfolk, was forced into action.

Andersen is out with a blood clotting issue, and there's no word on when he might return. His serious medical issue obviously comes before hockey. He was 4-1 with a 2.87 goals against and .894 save percentage in his six starts. 

Since he went down, Raanta is 2-1-0 with a .908 SV% in three appearances, while Kochetkov has a .935 SV% in two starts, one of them a 22-save shutout over the Tampa Bay Lightning. 

Halak, now a free agent once again, spent last season with the New York Rangers, going 10-9-5 with a 2.72 goals-against average and a .903 save percentage. 

Photo: Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports