Metropolitan Notes: Kochetkov, Haula, Hatakka, Lindgren, Leschyshyn, Mackey

As expected, the Hurricanes recalled netminder Pyotr Kochetkov from AHL Chicago on Sunday as the team returns to practice, per CapFriendly. Carolina loaned Kochetkov to Chicago last weekend to bank salary cap space over the All-Star break; he did not appear in any of Chicago’s three games over the past week.

The 24-year-old returned from a concussion before the break began and dressed as the backup to Antti Raanta for Jan. 27’s win over the Coyotes after a six-game absence. If he starts Tuesday against the Canucks, it will be his first appearance since Jan. 11.

In the first season of a four-year, $8MM deal, Kochetkov has locked down the starting role in Carolina in the absence of Frederik Andersen, who recently returned to on-ice activities after missing most of the season due to blood clotting issues. His 21 starts lead the team, over which span he’s produced an 11-7-3 record, .900 SV%, 2.58 GAA, and one shutout. They’re rather average numbers given the quality of the defense in front of him, but they’re far superior to Raanta’s performance this season (.870 SV%, 3.04 GAA in 23 GP). With one open roster spot, no corresponding transaction is needed to reinstate Kochetkov.

More from the Metropolitan Division to close out the weekend:

• Devils center Erik Haula returned to the team today after a brief paternal leave, Amanda Stein of the Devils’ official site reports. The 32-year-old missed the team’s final game before the All-Star break, a 6-3 loss to the Lightning, for the birth of his child. He has 10 goals and 13 assists for 23 points in 41 games after signing a three-year, $9.45MM extension to remain in Newark in June, pacing over half a point per game for the third straight season.
• The Devils also recalled defenseman Santeri Hatakka from AHL Utica, per a team announcement. Hatakka rejoins the NHL squad after spending the All-Star break in the minors, recording a goal and an assist in three games. The 23-year-old made his first three appearances as a Devil in the triad of contests leading into the break, recording an assist and a +5 rating while averaging 16:07 per game in the absence of Brendan Smith, who landed on injured reserve with a right knee sprain over two weeks ago. His role on the team is slightly muddied after the Devils claimed Nick DeSimone off waivers from the Flames shortly before the break; he’s expected to suit up in a third-pairing role alongside Colin Miller to make his Devils debut against the Avalanche on Tuesday. Thus, Hatakka will likely serve mostly as a healthy scratch for the time being.
• Rangers defenseman Ryan Lindgren is cleared to play in Monday’s contest against Colorado, head coach Peter Laviolette said (via The Athletic’s Peter Baugh). The 25-year-old sustained an upper-body injury early in a Jan. 26 game against the Golden Knights and missed the following night’s 7-2 win over the Senators. The pending RFA is nearing completion of a three-year, $9MM extension and has seven points in 47 games, the lowest offensive output of his NHL career. It’s been a down season for Lindgren on both sides of the puck, too – his 48.8% Corsi share at even strength is down over five percentage points from last season’s mark.
• Staying with the Rangers, the team also recalled forward Jake Leschyshyn and defenseman Connor Mackey from AHL Hartford on Sunday. The two have been frequent travelers between leagues as of late, seeing a combined three recalls since the New Year. They’re both projected as healthy scratches for Monday and will serve as short-term injury insurance. Neither player recorded a point in their lone NHL appearances this season.