Yaniv Perets Reassigned to ECHL
The Carolina Hurricanes announced that goaltender Yaniv Perets has been reassigned to the Norfolk Admirals of the ECHL after a week-long stint with the team.
Perets served primarily as the Hurricanes' backup while Pyotr Kochetkov was out in concussion protocol, but he did see a bit of game action after Antti Raanta was pulled in the Canes' 5-2 loss to the LA Kings on Monday.
While Perets played just 12:46 of game time, he came out of the game with a perfect 1.00 save percentage after stopping the one shot he faced from Pierre-Luc Dubois off the rush.
With the Canes claiming Spencer Martin off of waivers Friday, he will more than likely serve as backup while Kochetkov nears a return, giving Perets the opportunity to go back down and get consistent game action.
Pyotr Kochetkov Returns to Practice
After skating before the team's official practices in back-to-back days Wednesday and Thursday, Kochetkov was once again a normal participant in Saturday's practice.
According to Cory Lavalette of North State Journal, Kochetkov participated in the team's regular practice along with Raanta and Martin.
Per Lavalette, Kochetkov practiced for around 20 minutes, a little under half the practice's length.
It's another big step towards a return to action for the Russian netminder.
"That's a good sign," Brind'Amour said. "With head injuries, you just never know, but he looks really good and is feeling better. Hopefully that's a good sign."
Spencer Martin Arrives in Raleigh
Spencer Martin arrived in Raleigh today after embarking from Columbus on a 6 a.m. flight and arrived in time to take part in his first official practice with his new team.
"Packed up my place last night, got a couple hours of sleep and was ready to go," Martin said.
"It's a whirlwind anytime a player gets moved," Brind'Amour said. "Have to jump right in and get into practice. Happy to have him and we'll see where it goes."
Martin, who will be wearing number 41 for the Hurricanes, seemed excited at the chance to be a part of the organization.
"Obviously being on waivers is a tougher part of the business, but being picked up by an organization like this and the excitement that goes along with joining a team this good with the culture they've already built here, it's pretty exciting," Martin said. "A quick day, but it's exciting to be here."
The 28-year-old netminder said he and the team hadn't yet discussed the plans for him going forward yet, but that those would be discussed later today, saying that they just wanted him to feel welcome first.
But Martin said that he feels he'll be ready whenever the opportunity may present itself.
"With this position, you always have to be ready to go, but given the excitement that I have coming here, I'm looking for that first chance and it'll be really exciting the first couple of games. Just need to make sure that I can hold my end of the bargain up."
A lot still depends on Kochetkov's timeline, but the Hurricanes next have a back-to-back Wednesday and Thursday so if the Russian netminder isn't back by then, perhaps Martin will see his first game in a Hurricanes sweater in the next few days.