Andersen's Return Date For Hurricanes Not Far Off

The goalie situation for the Carolina Hurricanes has been a very odd and interesting one as the team has had five goalies appear in games for them this season and may have far too many goalies readily available for them in the short term.

The Hurricanes have had to deal with a lot of injuries this season for their netminders, including a big loss for a lot of the season in Frederik Andersen. After a lot of time getting better and training, he is reportedly set to return to the lineup in the next 1-2 weeks according to David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period.

The Hurricanes currently have Pyotr Kochetkov, their young and most consistent goalie this season, starting in net. On top of that, the team more recently picked up Spencer Martin off of waivers as Antti Raanta hit the IR. If Andersen returns as soon as he is expected to, Martin will be the first to get the bump down through waivers. If or when this happens, he will likely be claimed due to his performance this season and cheap contract.

If Raanta then returns with both Andersen and Kochetkov healthy and playing, he would be the next to be bumped down. Despite Kochetkov starting the season as the third string goalie because of his eligibility to be sent down without going through waivers, he has proven to be the best option in net for the Hurricanes.

Andersen has had a very good career and the Hurricanes are hoping that he is back soon. Their recent playoff runs have been stunted by injuries at bad times to their starter. He is still signed for one more year after this at $3.4 million AAV and the 34-year-old has a .894 SV% in just six appearances this season.