The wider reports put the window at 8-12 weeks and since this is Freddie you can probably extend it to 14. 8 weeks would stretch to mid to late January, 12 to that February break, 14 to basically March 1. The trade deadline is March 7, but Carolina seemed to have designs on help up front again. I doubt they want to blow their trade and cap powder on a goalie unless they have to. My guess ... so long as Kooch stays healthy and keeps playing at his current level, they might try to stretch it out until Freddie comes back without making a move in net. Martin is capable of carrying a backup's load, so long as they handle him correctly. I doubt he's capable of platooning, so that's where the evaluation kicks in.
And this is another point where Carolina's approach will likely differ from standard, so the press will be confused (and critical) if the Canes wait it out. If they get another TNT game, I'm sure Eddie O can tell us all about how his best buddy Ronnie Franchise would have played it. Given that he has such a proven grasp on goaltending and all.
