With Connor Hellebuyck remaining out due to rest from the Four Nations Tournament, Kaapo Kahkonen has been recalled from Manitoba (AHL) and is expected to back up Eric Comrie on Saturday. Kahkonen is expected to be returned to the minors once Hellebuyck returns to the team in Winnipeg on Monday.
Kahkonen was reclaimed off waivers by the Jets after losing him via waivers to the Colorado Avalanche earlier this season. The 28-year-old Kahkonen had one game to prove himself in an Avalanche uniform but allowed four goals on 20 shots (.800 SV%) in a losing effort and was placed back on waivers, reclaimed by the Jets. Kahkonen had a poor 2023-24 campaign split between the San Jose Sharks and New Jersey Devils, posting a 3.64 GAA and .898 SV%.
Kahkonen was placed on waivers by the Jets earlier this season and claimed by the Avalanche. The 28-year-old Kahkonen had one game to prove himself in an Avalanche uniform but allowed four goals on 20 shots (.800 SV%) in a losing effort and was placed back on waivers, reclaimed by the Jets. Kahkonen had a poor 2023-24 campaign split between the San Jose Sharks and New Jersey Devils, posting a 3.64 GAA and .898 SV%.
The 28-year-old Kahkonen had a poor 2023-24 campaign split between the San Jose Sharks and New Jersey Devils, posting a 3.64 GAA and .898 SV%, but, with the ongoing struggles of Alexandar Georgiev, gets the opportunity to play on Wednesday night against the Tampa Bay Lightning. The 28-year-old Kahkonen was solid in a two-game conditioning stint with the Colorado Eagles (AHL), posting a 2.57 GAA and .919 SV% despite losing both contests. Colorado enters the action on Wednesday as a slight -106 home favorite against Tampa Bay.
The 28-year-old Kahkonen had a poor 2023-24 campaign split between the San Jose Sharks and New Jersey Devils, posting a 3.64 GAA and .898 SV%, but could get an opportunity at the crease in Colorado as Alexandar Georgiev has been unable to provide consistent efforts. The 28-year-old Kahkonen was solid in a two-game stint with the Eagles (AHL), posting a 2.57 GAA and .919 SV% despite losing both contests.
Kahkonen has not played a game in the AHL since the 2019-20 season. The 28-year-old Kahkonen had a poor 2023-24 campaign split between the San Jose Sharks and New Jersey Devils, posting a 3.64 GAA and .898 SV%, but could get an opportunity at the crease in Colorado if Georgiev and Annunen are unable to provide consistent efforts.
The Avalanche have added some depth to their goaltending position behind Alexandar Georgiev and Justus Annunen by claiming Kahkonen from the Winnipeg Jets. Kahkonen had a poor 2023-24 campaign split between the San Jose Sharks and New Jersey Devils, posting a 3.64 GAA and .898 SV%, but could get an opportunity at the crease in Colorado if Georgiev and Annunen are unable to provide consistent efforts.
Winnipeg has locked up their backup goaltender on Monday after signing Kaapo Kahkonen to a one-year deal worth $1 million. The 27-year-old Finnish netminder spent 2023-24 split between San Jose and New Jersey and had a 7-24-3 record to go with his .898 SV%, and 3.64 GAA.
Kahkonen has a 2.92 GAA and .918 SV% in five games (1-3-0) since joining the Devils ahead of the trade deadline. Akira Schmid has been recalled from the Utica Comets (AHL) as Kahkonen battles a lower-body injury.
Kahkonen will man the Devils' crease for the first time in four games and his fourth time since being acquired from San Jose at the trade deadline. The 27-year-old has played exceptionally better during his time with the Devils, as proven by his 1-2-0 record, 2.17 GAA and .934 SV% since being traded. He will head to New York to take on cross-town rivals in the Rangers, who have won five of their last six games and have the NHL's fourth-best powerplay this season (25.7%).
Kahkonen joins a Devils club that already acquired Jake Allen via trade earlier on Friday, likely indicating that they will be riding a new tandem between the pipes for the remainder of the season. The 27-year-old Kahkonen was serviceable on a defensively poor Sharks team this season, posting a 3.81 GAA and .895 SV% through 31 games (6-20-3).
Magnus Chrona was excellent in his second career start on Saturday, a 3-2 shootout loss to the Dallas Stars, but the Sharks will turn to Kahkonen in a rematch on Tuesday night. Kahkonen has allowed four or more goals in four of his last five outings (0-5-0), including four on 32 shots (.875 SV%) in a 4-3 loss to the Minnesota Wild on Saturday. The Sharks enter action as significant +340 home underdogs.
With Mackenzie Blackwood sidelined for the next one to two weeks due to an injury, Kahkonen will be a mainstay between the pipes for the Sharks. Kahkonen had a forgettable performance on Tuesday, entering the game in relief of Mackenzie Blackwood, allowing seven goals on 31 shots (.774 SV%) in a 7-2 loss to the New Jersey Devils. The Sharks are +113 home underdogs against the Anaheim Ducks on Thursday.
The Shark returns to action from a five-day absence on Saturday and will turn to Kahkonen between the pipes. Kahkonen last played last Saturday and allowed four goals on 37 shots, including a goal in the final minute, in a 4-3 regulation loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets. The Sharks will face off against Nashville Predators club riding a three-game winning streak.
