Brandon Bussi has made a strong impression since being claimed by the Carolina Hurricanes on Oct. 5. The goaltender boasts a 7-1-0 record in his first eight career starts with the team. His timely saves have contributed to key victories, including a shutout on Nov. 30.
The Carolina Hurricanes claimed goaltender Brandon Bussi on Oct. 5 as an insurance policy amid waiver uncertainties involving Cayden Primeau, who was ultimately picked up by the Toronto Maple Leafs. Bussi, who was en route to join Florida's AHL affiliate in Charlotte at the time, has since adapted quickly to the NHL level.
Head coach Rod Brind'Amour, who admitted he had never seen Bussi play before the claim, praised the 26-year-old's attitude and puck-stopping ability. "He's just a good dude, number one," Brind'Amour said. "You can just talk to him for a couple of minutes and know, 'Okay, this guy gets it.' So that's the thing that stands out. Can you stop pucks? Well, yeah, that looks like something that he's done for us really well."
Bussi's performances stand out despite an irregular schedule, with Frederik Andersen and Pyotr Kochetkov as the primary starters. He maintains sharpness through a consistent routine, balancing rest and focus. Across starts on Nov. 28 against Winnipeg and Nov. 30 against Calgary, Bussi faced 28 shots total, allowing one goal in the former—a win—and securing his first NHL shutout in the latter.
Teammates have noticed his impact. After the Nov. 28 victory, Seth Jarvis said, "He played great all game. He didn't get tested a whole lot, but when he did, he was making big saves. That one was massive for our confidence." Taylor Hall added, "I think you're seeing him grow from game to game... He's a great guy, and he's been a huge addition to us."
Bussi's seven wins mark a franchise best for a first-year netminder in their initial eight starts, highlighting his potential as an overlooked gem from waivers.