With more than two weeks of free agency in the books, the NHL’s goaltending landscape is beginning to come into focus for the 2023-24 season. After all the turnover we’ve seen in net, let’s break down every team’s goaltending situation. In Part 3 of this series: the Metro Division.

METRO DIVISION

Carolina Hurricanes: Frederik Andersen, Antti Raanta, & Pyotr Kochetkov

Reason to be happy: Carolina has three solid options in goal. And the Hurricanes are built for the future with 24-year old Kochetkov. He’s locked into a four-year contract and ready to take on an expanded role at the NHL level.

Reason to be hopeful: Even though Andersen and Raanta once again missed significant chunks of the 2022-23 season due to injury, the Hurricanes were still able to win the Metro Division. Carolina plays such a strong defensive system under head coach Rod Brind’Amour that the team only needs adequate goaltending.

Reason to be nervous: Can any of the three goaltenders steal a playoff series? If the Hurricanes get into a goaltending battle with the Rangers or Islanders – both division rivals – can they come out on top? I’m not sure.

Columbus Blue Jackets: Elvis Merzlikins & Daniil Tarasov

Reason to be happy: The only way to go is up. There’s no way Merzlikins plays worse than he did during the 2022-23 season. Harsh but true.

Reason to be hopeful: Columbus has high hopes for Tarasov, who’s on a one-way NHL contract for the next two seasons. Standing 6-foot-5, he takes up a ton of net. And he outperformed Merzlikins last year.

Reason to be nervous: The Blue Jackets don’t have a sure bet in goal. In the past three seasons, Tarasov hasn’t played much hockey and he didn’t exactly light the AHL on fire. I also have a hard time believing Merzlikins’ strong personality will mesh with new head coach Mike Babcock. Columbus would be wise to explore all options in advance of the 2023-24 season.