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Carolina Hurricanes News
Colorado has acquired Mackenzie Blackwood, Givani Smith, and a 2027 5th round pick from San Jose for Alexandar Georgiev, Nikolai Kovalenko, a 2026 2nd round pick and a 2025 5th round pick.

Smith was an additional piece in a trade with Mackenzie Blackwood that sent Alexandar Georgiev and Nikolai Kovalenko to San Jose Sharks. The 26-year-old Smith was limited to only six games with the Sharks this season, averaging 6:17 time-on-ice in a fourth-line role, and will likely serve a similar role in his new home with the Avalanche.

Givani Smith
Kochetkov will start vs. Colorado on Thursday.

Kochetkov had a rough return in his first game back from a concussion on Tuesday as he allowed four goals on 28 shots (.857 SV%) in a loss to Seattle but will have a chance at redemption vs. Colorado as he takes the crease Thursday. The 25-year-old has had an up-and-down season despite his 10-3-0 record, with a 2.55 GAA and .900 SV%. He will host the Avalanche on Thursday, who have lost three of their last five games but had an inspiring 5-4 comeback win over Buffalo their last time out.

Pyotr Kochetkov
Kochetkov will start against the Kraken on Tuesday.

Kochetkov has not played since November 23rd due to a concussion but will return to the crease on Tuesday against the Seattle Kraken. The 25-year-old Kochetkov has a 2.42 GAA and .904 SV% in 13 appearances this season (10-2-0). The Hurricanes have been outscored 12-3 in their last two games (0-2-0) but enter Tuesday's contest as -245 home favorites against a Kraken club averaging 2.84 goals per game.

Pyotr Kochetkov
Ehlers (lower-body) is expected to miss the next 7-10 days.

Ehlers exited Friday's game against Vegas, did not play on Sunday against Dallas, and will be out of the lineup for approximately 7-10 more days. The 28-year-old Ehlers was pacing for a career-best offensive season, with 25 points (9G / 16A) in 24 games. The Jets have recalled Brad Lambert from Manitoba (AHL) in the interim.

Nikolaj Ehlers
Kochetkov (concussion) is expected to start vs. Seattle on Tuesday.

Kochetkov has not played since November 23rd due to a concussion but will likely return to the crease on Tuesday against the Seattle Kraken. The 25-year-old Kochetkov has a 2.42 GAA and .904 SV% in 13 appearances this season (10-2-0). The Hurricanes have been outscored 12-3 in their last two games (0-2-0) but enter Tuesday's contest as -245 home favorites against a Kraken club averaging 2.84 goals per game.

Pyotr Kochetkov
Ehlers (lower-body) has been placed on IR retroactive to November 29th.

Ehlers will be out of the lineup until at lest December 7th after being placed on Injured Reserve with a lower-body injury. The 28-year-old Ehlers was pacing for a career-best offensive season, with 25 points (9G / 16A) in 24 games. The Jets have recalled Brad Lambert from Manitoba (AHL) in the interim.

Nikolaj Ehlers
Stankoven (lower-body) will return on Monday in Utah.

Stankoven has missed the last two games due to a lower-body injury but will re-enter the lineup on Monday against the Utah Hockey Club. The 21-year-old Stankoven is in the mix for the Calder Trophy, with 15 points (4G / 11A) in 21 games but has been held off the scoresheet in five of his last six.

Logan Stankoven
Kochetkov (concussion) is a possibility to return on Tuesday vs. Seattle.

Kochetkov has not played since November 23rd due to a concussion but his presence at practice along with Yaniv Perets being reassigned to the Chicago Wolves (AHL) is an indication that he is likely on route to return to the crease. The 25-year-old Kochetkov has a 2.42 GAA and .904 SV% in 13 appearances this season (10-2-0).

Pyotr Kochetkov
Kochetkov (concussion) returned to practice in full on Monday.

Kochetkov has not played since November 23rd due to a concussion but his presence at practice along with Yaniv Perets being reassigned to the Chicago Wolves (AHL) is an indication that he is likely on route to return to the crease. The 25-year-old Kochetkov has a 2.42 GAA and .904 SV% in 13 appearances this season (10-2-0).

Pyotr Kochetkov
Perets has been reassigned to Chicago (AHL).

Perets was recalled last week after Pyotr Kochetkov suffered an upper-body injury. His reassignment to the AHL is likely an indication that Kochetkov is ready to return to the lineup. Perets is 1-2-0 with a 3.67 GAA and .825 SV% with the Chicago Wolves (AHL) this season.

Yaniv Perets
Kochetkov is considered doubtful to play Saturday in Florida.

Kochetkov left last Saturday's game in overtime following a collision with Zach Werenski and has not suited up since, leaving the Hurricanes goaltending duties to Spencer Martin, who got the nod against the Panthers on Friday. Assuming Kochetkov is unavailable, then the Hurricanes will have to choose between starting Martin on back-to-back days or handing Yaniv Perets the first start of his NHL career.

Pyotr Kochetkov
Kochetkov (concussion) is improving and has a chance to return on Saturday in Florida.

Kochetkov left last Saturday's game in overtime following a collision with Zach Werenski and has not suited up since, leaving the Hurricanes goaltending duties to Spencer Martin. Martin will tend the twine again on Friday but the 25-year-old Kochetkov could be ready to suit up on Saturday.

Pyotr Kochetkov