The Hurricanes came into the season with a solidified goaltending tandem of Pyotr Kochetkov and Frederik Andersen. With questions about Andersen’s inconsistent health, the organization knew it needed depth.
The team claimed Brandon Bussi off waivers as a gap stopper while Kochetkov started the season injured. Now, Carolina management never thought they’d be where they are today. Bussi has stolen the net in Carolina and won’t be giving it back anytime soon.
Hurricanes Atop the Metro
Carolina has established itself as a top contender in the Metropolitan Division. They haven’t missed the playoffs since the hiring of Rod Brind’Amour in 2018. It’s well known that the Hurricanes’ bench boss prefers to have a split workload for his goaltenders. Only one time in his seven seasons has a goaltender started more than 50 games in a season for him.
Coming into this year, there were no questions about who the top two in the tandem were with Andersen and Kochetkov. But with Kochetkov starting the season on the shelf with a lower-body injury, it was evident that extra depth was needed to step up. Fast forward to December, and after just nine games, Kochetkov is out for the season.
Now the Hurricanes needed Bussi to step up and fill in the hole left by Kochetkov. Not only has he filled in the hole, but now he’s setting records with his historic run.
The Emergence of Bussi
What makes this story so special is that no one could have predicted how quickly the new Canes netminder has burst on the scene. Bussi, at 27 years old, had spent the last three seasons in the AHL playing for the Providence Bruins, Boston’s minor league affiliate.
In over 110 games, he posted a solid 63-31-13 record with a 2.61 goals against average (GAA) and a .915 save percentage (SV%). The numbers showed that he’s more than capable of being a starting netminder at the second-highest level, but could he be more than a depth piece in the NHL? The answer came fairly quickly.
Bussi’s NHL Dominance
As it currently stands, Bussi has started in 23 games for the Hurricanes in his rookie season. He’s posted a stunning record of 19-3-1. No goalie has ever won 18 of their first 22 starts in league history. And not just that, but he also has kept his GAA to just 2.15 as well. Despite its reputation as a defensively minded team, Carolina has struggled without Bussi in net.
Comparing the Two Carolina Goalies
Andersen has struggled to find his footing in the crease this season, with only 7 wins in his 21 starts. Comparing his GAA to his rookie counterpart is just as startling. Of the 49 goalies in the league to appear in 20+ games, Andersen ranks 41st. Quite the drop from Bussi, who ranks third in that category.
The stark difference between the two doesn’t stop there. The two goalies’ goals saved above average (GSAA) couldn’t be further apart. Andersen has a GSAA of -14.5 compared to Bussi with a 6.7. That’s over a 20-goal difference. Simply put, Bussi has made saves he shouldn’t have, while Andersen has allowed goals that should have been stopped.
Is it Time to Give Bussi the Crease?
As mentioned earlier, Brind’Amour prefers splitting his goalies’ games evenly. But with Andersen’s decline and the superb play of Bussi, is it time to just ride the hot hand? With the small cushion that Carolina has built in the Metro, they can afford to drop the odd game.
Taking into account the condensed schedule due to the Olympics and plenty of back-to-backs, the continued share of the net will likely remain. Still, if the rest of the division chases down the Hurricanes in the standings, the team will need to make a decision.
At that point, the choice seems easy. Turn to the team’s MVP this season and potential Vezina candidate, Brandon Bussi.
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