Hurricanes goalie Frederik Andersen has blood clotting issue, out indefinitely

Carolina Hurricanes goaltender Frederik Andersen is out indefinitely after medical tests found a blood clotting issue.

General manager Don Waddell issued an update on Andersen's status Monday, saying there's no timetable for the 34-year-old's return. Waddell said the team does expect Andersen to make a full recovery.

Veteran Jaroslav Halak has joined the team on a free agent tryout. Antti Raanta is expected to shoulder the load in net in Andersen's absence.

Andersen last played Thursday and was 4-1-0 with a 2.87 goals-against average and .894 save percentage in six starts this season.

The Denmark native has played 547 NHL regular-season and playoff games for the Anaheim Ducks, Toronto Maple Leafs and Hurricanes since making his debut in 2013.

Halak, 38, played for the New York Rangers last season and was 10-9-5 with a 2.72 GAA and .903 save percentage. He has appeared in 581 contests (539 starts) with seven teams over 17 NHL seasons.

Raanta recorded 22 saves in Saturday's 4-3 win in overtime against the host New York Islanders.

Hurricanes head coach Rod Brind'Amour told reporters the team would recall goaltender Pyotr Kochetkov from the American Hockey League. Kochetkov played in three NHL games earlier this season after making 24 appearances (23 starts) for Carolina last year.

Washington Capitals GM Brian MacLellan said it's unlikely Nicklas Backstrom plays again this season after the Swedish centre stepped away from the team last week, citing the ongoing issues with his surgically repaired left hip.

MacLellan stopped short of ruling Backstrom out for the remainder of the season or saying the franchise cornerstone had played his final NHL game. The soon-to-be 36-year-old is expected to go on long-term injured reserve in