The only downside is the short resume. Then again, $2 million isn't a big hit, even for a semi-capable backup.

Sure, there’s risk – NHL history is full of goalies who go look great when they first come up and can never get back to that level again – but there’d be risk in waiting until the end of the season too. If he had a full season of strong play behind him, they’d have had to pay him a lot more, and there’d still be a chance his play would fall off after that.

Worst case they have to buy him out or bury him. Best case he’s a solid #1 and they have him at a bargain price for four more years. Middle ground, he’s a backup and $2M is a fair salary. I’m not saying you should throw $8M at every goalie prospect, but Kochetkov has shown enough to make this signing look good to me on the risk versus reward scale. Now we just need the team in front of him to get their game back.

Andersen and Raanta could both be gone after this season, but with Kochetkov locked up at only $2M, they should be able to afford a more experienced goalie to play with him, which would give them a strong tandem at a good price.

steal at 2 mil

Pretty sure now that Ar or FA will be on the move

This is starting to look pretty damn good at this point.
Would have been 5M if they hadnt got it done before his recent run.

It may be a perfect bargain. Great for Carolina, particularly when goalies are getting on in years. basketball stars