Panthers trade Chris Driedger to Jets for Kaapo Kahkonen
The defending Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers have acquired Kaapo Kahkonen from the Winnipeg Jets in exchange for fellow netminder Chris Driedger, reports Daily Faceoff’s Frank Seravalli.
Through 22 appearances this season with the Manitoba Moose, the Jets’ AHL affiliate, Kahkonen has posted a 6-14-0 record with an .885 save percentage, 3.29 goals-against average, and one shutout. Kahkonen originally joined the Jets after being claimed off waivers from the Colorado Avalanche in mid-November. With the Avalanche this season, Kahkonen saw a lone appearance, a 5-2 loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning in which he turned aside 16 shots. The 28-year-old Finn also saw two outings with the AHL’s Colorado Eagles in which he went 0-2-0 with a .919 save percentage and 2.57 goals-against average.
Originally chosen by Minnesota in the fourth round of the 2014 NHL Draft, Kahkonen has played 140 NHL games with the Wild, San Jose Sharks, New Jersey Devils, and Avalanche in which he has posted a 49-68-15 career record with an .898 save percentage, 3.34 goals-against average, and four shutouts. Per PuckPedia, Kahkonen carries a $1-million annual average value and can become an unrestricted free agent this coming offseason.
For Driedger, the 30-year-old netminder has spent the 2024-25 campaign with the Charlotte Checkers, the Panthers’ AHL affiliate. Through 20 appearances, Driedger went 10-6-4 with an .878 save percentage and 2.97 goals-against average.
A 2012 third-round selection of the Ottawa Senators, the Winnipeg native has seen 67 NHL appearances with the Senators, Panthers, and Seattle Kraken in which he owns a 31-24-5 career record with a .917 save percentage, 2.45 goals-against average, and five shutouts. Driedger carries a $795,000 annual average value and is eligible to become an unrestricted free agent in July, according to PuckPedia.
The Panthers’ acquisition of Kahkonen follows a Saturday trade that saw the club move former backup goaltender Spencer Knight to the Chicago Blackhawks in a package deal for defenseman Seth Jones.