'I'm Back': Pyotr Kochetkov Returns To Practice, Nearing Return To Game Action

The Carolina Hurricanes are breathing a big sigh of relief as it looks like goaltender Pyotr Kochetkov is nearing a return to action.

Kochetkov, 25, took the ice for practice Monday morning after missing the last four games due to a concussion and he looked much like himself as a full participant.

He even proclaimed that he was "back" once stepping foot onto the ice.

The Russian netminder has a 10-2-0 record this season with a 0.904 save percentage and 2.42 goals against average and the Canes certainly missed his presence.

In his place, Spencer Martin started all four games for Carolina, posting a 2-2-0 record and a 0.827 save percentage.

There were quite a few goals that the Hurricanes needed saves on so hopefully Kochetkov will be back tomorrow and can get fully up to speed before too long.

According to Hurricanes coach Rod Brind'Amour, Kochetkov still has one more test to pass before he clears concussion protocol.

"I think he has to get through another test before he's cleared, but he looks good so hopefully that will work out," Brind'Amour said.

Will he play tomorrow?

"If he passes, yeah."

The Canes have certainly dealt with some interesting goaltender problems over the past few years and this one has been no different with Kochetkov's concussion and Frederik Andersen's knee surgery.

The Hurricanes were patient while they waited for Kochetkov to return but now they'll need him to be able play a large bulk of the games until Andersen can return.

Should something else happen to Kochetkov, then the team can't afford to be patient again.

Related: Can Pyotr Kochetkov Establish Himself As The Hurricanes Number One Netminder?