Kaapo Kahkonen Signing Gives Canadiens Flexibility With Jacob Fowler

There were rumblings earlier this week that the Montreal Canadiens were looking for a veteran goalie for their goaltending room. The team started the year last season with Samuel Montembeault and Cayden Primeau on their roster. The Canadiens sent Primeau down to the AHL after a rough stretch of games and recalled Jakub Dobes. The Montembeault and Dobes duo remained together for the rest of the season.

Now that the Canadiens traded Primeau to the Carolina Hurricanes on the eve of Free Agency, Jacob Fowler will now have the starting position with the Laval Rockets. Fowler has the potential to be the goalie of the future for the Canadiens and will have the luxury to develop in Laval for a season or two before making the jump to the NHL.

However, with the loss of Primeau, the Canadiens had a roster spot open to add a goalie. They did so on the opening day of Free Agency by adding veteran goalie Kaapo Kahkonen, signing him to a one-year, one-way contract.

Last season, Kahkonen split time between the Colorado Avalanche in the NHL and the Manitoba Moose and Charlotte Checkers in the AHL. Kahkonen brings stability to the Canadiens’ goaltending group, giving him a chance to compete for the backup role in Montreal while also serving as injury insurance. His addition allows Fowler to remain in Laval all season and continue his development.

Kahkonen struggled early last season with the Moose, posting a 3.29 goals against average and a .885 save percentage. He turned his season around once he moved to the Checkers, posting a 2.30 goals against average and a .906 save percentage. He continued his improved play in the AHL playoffs, recording a 2.18 goals against average and a .906 save percentage in 18 games, helping the Checkers make the Calder Cup Finals.