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Kochetkov Reflects On Playoffs, Emotions, And Future With Hurricanes

Published: Jul 9, 2025, 2:00 PM
7 min read
Updated: Jul 21, 2025, 12:36 PM
Fact checked by:
Quinn Allen

Key Takeaways

  • Kochetkov admitted he didn’t know if he’d start Game 1 of the playoffs until the day before, and says he understands Brind’Amour’s decision.
  • After a rocky finish to the season and a sweep by Florida, Kochetkov is focused on emotional control and smarter long-term play.
  • Despite a subpar year, the 26-year-old is looking ahead: “If you play well, the money will come.”
Kochetkov in net

Kochetkov in net (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)

Pyotr Kochetkov has been with the Carolina Hurricanes since 2022. The 26-year-old goaltender, paired with veteran Frederik Andersen, forms one of the most dependable goalie duos in the NHL. Last season, Kochetkov played 47 regular-season games — twice as many as Andersen — but still started the playoffs as the backup. In an exclusive interview with RG, the Russian netminder admitted he didn’t know who would start the series against New Jersey until right before it began.

Losing to the Panthers — Again

“One day before the playoffs started, they said, ‘Looks like he’ll start.’ The plan was to go game by game. We won the first one, and they said, ‘Okay, he’ll play the next one too.’ So there wasn’t really a fixed plan. I understand Rod’s (Brind’Amour) logic. I just needed to play better.”

For the second time in three years, the Hurricanes lost to the Florida Panthers in the Eastern Conference Final — and the Panthers went on to win the Stanley Cup. Kochetkov spoke honestly about another tough exit:

“I don’t want to say they were better or stronger, but they were definitely more prepared for playoff hockey. They had skill, toughness, just strong players overall. Great forecheck. Bobrovsky — everything was working for them. It was hard to respond. Theoretically, we could’ve grabbed a win or two, but everything would’ve had to go our way.”

Despite the sweep, Kochetkov believes the Carolina team from two years ago was stronger overall.

A Rough Season Statistically, Learning to Control Emotions

Last season, Kochetkov posted his lowest NHL save percentage — 89.8%. He admitted the season was a mixed bag.

“Stats matter — in the NHL, they pay you based on numbers. But honestly, I haven’t fully processed the season yet. It was up and down. Overall, I played okay, except for the last 8–10 games. In the final month, I started letting in three or more goals a game, and that dragged down my numbers. I know what external factors played a role, but I also made mistakes. I’ll take time to reflect, learn, and move forward.”

Kochetkov has a reputation as an emotional goaltender. In his rookie season, he famously got into a verbal spat with Brad Marchand (then with Boston), pushed him in front of the referee, and got slashed in response.

“In the playoffs, everyone plays with more edge — everything’s doubled,” he explained. “That was only my fourth NHL game. I was fired up, playing on dopamine, as they say. It was an emotional moment — I barely even remember it now. He slashed me, I responded, and that was it. I doubt he even remembers me. If Marchand remembered every fight he got into, he probably wouldn’t be where he is now.”

About his emotional style, Kochetkov is self-aware:

“I’m very locked into the game, and sometimes that works against me. It’s fine for one game or a short stretch, but over a long season it can lead to burnout. I’ve changed — I try to play calmer now. No more major conflicts this season. I think I’m improving. I don’t want to lose that part of me completely, but I want to play smarter, more balanced, over the long haul.”

Biohacking, Nutrition, and Brent Burns’ Secrets

Kochetkov focuses a lot on both mental and physical preparation. He’s been working with a nutritionist since he was 21 and takes his health seriously.

“Nowadays everyone’s talking about biohacking — it’s trendy. But I’ve been doing it for a while. Everyone gets into it at their own level. Supplements, recovery routines — I’ve been working on all that for years. In the U.S., it’s a big industry. People here, especially older ones, really care about staying healthy.”

He called teammate William Carrier a true biohacker:

“He doesn’t do anything extreme, but he tracks everything — calories, heart rate, especially during workouts like cycling. His diet is super clean. After games, he’s still eating salads and clean food. I haven’t seen many players eat that strictly. His body fat percentage is unreal — probably under 10%. I always joke that he could step on a bodybuilding stage and win. Visually, he has no fat at all.”

Kochetkov also praised veteran Brent Burns:

“Burns is great. Maybe not a full-on biohacker, but he takes care of recovery — always traveling with coffee gear, compression pants, and other tricks. He’s a pro, a real workhorse. And he’s got great genetics — to play like that at 40 is amazing.”

Learning from Andersen

Kochetkov says he’s learning a lot from his older and more experienced partner, Frederik Andersen.

“What interests me most about him is his calmness. He doesn’t overreact to anything. I’m the opposite sometimes — I can get too aggressive, too hungry to win or improve. But he’s always steady. Before practice, after, before games — same mindset. That helps. I’m not trying to be exactly like him, but I try to learn. It keeps you from wasting energy. He’s had a long and solid career. There’s a lot I can learn from that.”

He added that their relationship is good and friendly — and as his English improved, they’ve been able to connect more off the ice too.

In 2022, Kochetkov signed a four-year, $8 million contract extension with Carolina after just seven NHL games. Some critics said the deal undervalued his talent.

“If you constantly compare yourself to others, you end up less happy. I try not to think about it. Maybe it would’ve made more sense to sign for three years. But if I had done two, I’d be negotiating again this summer — and this wasn’t my best season. That would’ve meant more stress. Now, things are clear and stable, and I’m grateful for that.”

He has a practical outlook on what’s next:

“I have a contract, so there’s no point looking back or overthinking. Of course, I’m thinking about my next deal — I have my own expectations. But I don’t obsess. The most important thing is to enjoy hockey, stay healthy, and build your life. Money matters — especially these days with inflation and everything going on — but there are other things that are just as important.”

When asked if he’s aiming for something like Igor Shesterkin’s $11 million contract, Kochetkov laughed:

“Not with the way I played this season — no chance! (laughs) Hopefully, things will improve. I don’t want to set targets for myself. I just need to play better. If you play well, the money will come, right?”

<p>Daria Tuboltseva has worked as a sports journalist since 2014 and has specialized in hockey coverage since 2016. She’s reported from some of the world’s biggest sporting events, including the Olympic Games (Beijing 2022), the FIFA World Cup (2018), the IIHF World Championships (2016–2019, 2021), the IIHF World Junior Championship (2019), and every Gagarin Cup Final since 2017.</p><p>Her work has appeared in leading Russian sports outlets like Championat.com and Sport24, as well as on the official websites of the KHL and the Women’s Hockey League (WHL). Daria has conducted exclusive interviews with some of the sport’s most recognized names, including Alex Ovechkin, Jaromir Jagr, Kirill Kaprizov, Sergei Bobrovsky, and Igor Shesterkin.</p><p>Beyond her writing, Daria brings extensive on-camera experience. She hosted NHL Today on Yandex.Efir and has produced powerful long-form projects such as the documentary Lokomotiv Crash and the series Hockey Country, featuring stars like Ovechkin, Malkin, Bobrovsky, Vasilevskiy, and Panarin. Her work has taken her to NHL games across North America and international events like the NHL Global Series in Europe.</p><p>In addition to her media career, Daria is a certified integrative nutritionist with a focus on sports nutrition. She works one-on-one with KHL players, helping them optimize performance and recovery through tailored nutrition plans. Her ability to blend media expertise with athlete support gives her a unique presence in the professional hockey world.</p><p>Daria publishes in both English and Russian and is the creator of the Telegram channel Coolest Game on Earth, where she shares insights, interviews, and behind-the-scenes stories from the hockey world.</p><p>Based in: Saint Petersburg, Russia</p><p>Languages: English, Russian</p>
Interests:
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James Murphy
James Murphy
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James Murphy is a veteran sports journalist covering the NHL, NCAA and CHL hockey for RG.

With 25 years of experience covering the Bruins, the NHL, NCAA, CHL and more, Murphy has seen it all when it comes to hockey. His hockey black book is filled with Hall of Famers, current players, coaches, management, scouts and a diverse array of hockey media personalities who have lived and worked in and around the game. Murphy also currently co-hosts The Eye Test podcast with Pierre McGuire and, along with McGuire, interviews NHL owners and executives, as well as NHL and NCAA head coaches and players daily.

The Arlington, Massachusetts, native began his writing career in hockey in 2001, when the Boston Bruins raised one of his childhood idols, Ray Bourque’s No. 77, to the rafters before their 2001–02 season opener. For 22 of his 25 years as a hockey reporter, Murphy covered the Bruins daily, including their victorious 2011 Stanley Cup run and their runs to the 2013 and 2019 Finals, multiple NHL drafts and countless Stanley Cup playoffs. He did all that for the Boston Metro, NHL.com, NESN.com and ESPN Boston.

In addition to his print work covering the Bruins, Murphy also made regular TV appearances on NESN, Fox 25 Boston, ESPN and NHL Network. From 2008 to 2012, Murphy hosted The Hockey Primetime Show on SiriusXM NHL Network Radio and made numerous appearances on national and international radio shows.

Ironically, his three years not covering the Bruins were spent covering their archrivals, the Montreal Canadiens. From 2012 to 2015, Murphy was based in Montreal and covered the Canadiens for NHL.com and TSN.ca. He also appeared regularly on TSN 690 radio and CTV.

Murphy returned to Boston in 2015 and left the media business to work in sales and marketing for LiveBarn, a Montreal-based sports streaming company, for four years. In 2019, Murphy once again became a Bruins beat reporter, this time writing for Boston Hockey Now. He spent four seasons working for BHN before arriving at RG in 2024 and also dedicated more time to The Eye Test podcast.

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