Pyotr Kochetkov

Ruslan Khazheyev, the 6-foot-4 Carolina prospect out of Chelyabinsk, signs his entry-level deal and logs AHL time with the Wolves after dominating juniors. Scouts rave about his aggressive style, pushing off posts with rare speed for his size, but his .876 save percentage in 20 games raises questions on consistency. As the Hurricanes juggle Andersen and Kochetkov up top, Khazheyev fights for every minute in a crowded crease.

The Hurricanes just handed Brandon Bussi a three-year, $5.7 million extension after the waiver pickup turned into a 23-3-1 sensation with a league-second 2.16 GAA, locking down their crease through 2028-29 while Pyotr Kochetkov heals from surgery. Jaccob Slavin refuses to let injuries slow his elite season, proving why he's the backbone of Carolina's Metro-leading run.

Brandon Bussi, the waiver-wire wizard who turned heads by snatching the Hurricanes' crease amid injuries to Andersen and Kochetkov, inks a three-year deal that locks him in through 2028-29. The 27-year-old undrafted gem, who's tied for third in NHL wins with 23 and second in GAA at 2.16, insists his mindset stays the same despite the security.

Brandon Bussi, the waiver wire gem who turned heads after Carolina snagged him from Florida, just locked in a three-year deal that screams belief in his breakout season. The rookie netminder, who's tied for third in NHL wins and second in goals-against average, admits he's thrilled the Hurricanes match his own high self-regard after a meteoric rise amid injuries to Andersen and Kochetkov.