Habs sign Kaapo Kahkonen

After trading Cayden Primeau to Carolina on Monday, the Habs needed another goaltender in the system.  They added that on Tuesday, signing Kaapo Kahkonen to a one-year, one-way contract.  The deal is worth $1.15 million.  Not coincidentally, that is the maximum amount of a contract that can be fully buried in the minors if a player is sent down, leaving no lingering cap charge.

The 28-year-old was viewed as a legitimate NHL backup not long ago but has bounced around as of late.  Last summer, he signed a one-year, $1 million contract with Winnipeg but was claimed off waivers by Colorado in training camp.  After just one outing with them, he went back on waivers and was reclaimed by the Jets, who sent him to the minors.  Then, at the trade deadline, he was traded to Florida in a swap of third-string netminders for Chris Driedger.

Florida’s farm team is Charlotte who, you may recall, eliminated Laval in the playoffs last month.  Kahkonen posted a 2.18 GAA with a .906 SV% in 18 postseason games for the Checkers.  His numbers weren’t as strong during the regular season, however, as he had a 2.91 GAA and a .894 SV% in 36 games between Colorado, Manitoba, and Charlotte.  That said, it should be noted that Manitoba was a really bad team; his numbers were closer to his playoff totals following the trade to Florida in March.

Kahkonen has played in 140 career games at the NHL level with four different teams.  He started out with Minnesota before being moved to San Jose where he played in 79 of those outings on a rebuilding team.  For his career, he has a 3.34 GAA and a .898 SV% in the NHL.

The move gives the Habs some much-needed insurance between the pipes.  If Jakub Dobes falters in training camp, Kahkonen can hold his own in a backup role with Montreal as at least a short-term solution.  Meanwhile, if he clears waivers and starts with Laval, the Rocket will have a fully capable veteran to play alongside top prospect Jacob Fowler.

Laval will still have some work to do between the pipes as they look to potentially re-sign Luke Cavallin who played well with Trois-Rivieres of the ECHL.  Generally, at least one of the Lions’ goalies will be on a one-way AHL contract so don’t be surprised to see more goalie signings coming from the organization at some point.

Kahkonen’s Stats: