In a bizarre move the morning, NHL insider Kevin Weekes reported that the Carolina Hurricanes will be loaning goaltender Pyotr Kochetov to the Tampa Bay Lightning.
Kochetov is currently thought of as the third goalie in Carolina behind Frederik Andersen and Antti Raanta. Due to injuries to both goaltenders, Kochetov played 24 games with the Hurricanes last year, posting an impressive 2.44 GAA and .909 save percentage, along with a 12-7-5 record.
Kochetov will report to the Lightning's AHL affiliate, the Syracuse Crunch. The move comes because the Hurricanes don't currently have an AHL affiliate of their own, after their recent deal with the Chicago Wolves expired.
It's a curious and rare move, and showcases the necessity for teams to have an AHL affiliate to develop their own players. Kochetov will not be able to be called up to the Lightning, but will now serve as a depth goaltender in the Lightning organization, if they need to call up another goalie.