KAAPO KAHKONEN NEWS

Jets acquire Driedger from Panthers for Kahkonen in goaltending depth move WINNIPEG - The Winnipeg Jets acquired Chris Driedger from the Florida Panthers for Kaapo Kahkonen in a swap of depth goaltenders Thursday.

MARCH 6 • THESTAR.COM

Involved in goalie swap Kahkonen was dealt to Florida from Winnipeg on Thursday in exchange for Chris Driedger, per RDS.ca.

Impact Kahkonen has a 3.29 GAA and an .885 save percentage in 22 outings with AHL Manitoba in 2024-25. The 28-year-old has appeared in 140 career NHL regular-season games with a 49-68-15 record, 3.34 GAA and an .898 save percentage. Kahkonen is likely to remain in the minors for the remainder of 2024-25 unless Sergei Bobrovsky or Vitek Vanecek suffer an injury.

MARCH 6 • ROTOWIRE

Returned to minors Kahkonen was assigned to AHL Manitoba on Sunday, per the NHL media site.

Impact Due to the absence of Connor Hellebuyck (rest), Kahkonen was the backup behind Eric Comrie in Saturday's 4-3 shootout win over St. Louis. According to Mitchell Clinton of the Jets' official site, Hellebuyck participated in Sunday's optional practice, clearing the way for the 31-year-old netminder's return to the lineup in Monday's home game versus San Jose.

FEBRUARY 23 • ROTOWIRE

Joins NHL club Kahkonen was recalled from AHL Manitoba on Tuesday as a practice player.

Impact Kahkonen and Eric Comrie will handle the practice duties between the pipes for the Jets while Connor Hellebuyck is competing in the 4 Nations Face-Off. The 28-year-old Kahkonen has a 6-13-0 record with a 3.34 GAA and an .885 save percentage through 20 appearances with AHL Manitoba this season.

FEBRUARY 18 • ROTOWIRE

Claimed by Winnipeg Kahkonen was claimed off waivers by the Jets on Tuesday, according to Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet.

Impact Kahkonen is back with the Jets after being waived by the club on Oct. 10. He made one start with Colorado, allowing four goals in a 5-2 loss to the Lightning on Oct. 30. It remains to be seen whether Kahkonen will remain with the big club or be sent to AHL Manitoba.

NOVEMBER 12, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Lands on waivers Kahkonen was placed on waivers by the Avalanche on Monday.

Impact The Avalanche have struggled to get solid play between the pipes early in the season, and Kahkonen had an opportunity to make an impact at home against the Lightning on Oct. 30. However, he struggled against Tampa Bay, allowing four goals on 20 shots (.800 save percentage) en route to the loss. He'll likely head to the minors if he goes unclaimed on waivers, and it seems unlikely that he'll see significant time in the NHL this year.

NOVEMBER 11, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Fails to seize opportunity Kahkonen stopped 16 of 20 shots in Wednesday's 5-2 loss to the Lightning. The fifth goal was an empty-netter in the third period.

Impact Kahkonen made his season debut for the Avs after being claimed off waivers on Oct. 11 and following a brief stint in the AHL, during which he went 0-2-0 in a pair of appearances despite a decent 2.57 GAA and .919 save percentage, but his performance was less than ideal. The Avalanche have had lots of woes between the pipes this season, and Kahkonen didn't show enough to prove he can be a solution to the team's struggles. The Avs will play next against the Predators on Saturday, and it's uncertain who will get the start at this point.

OCTOBER 31, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Nikita Kucherov scores first goal to ignite early flurry, Tampa Bay beats Colorado 5-2

Nikita Kucherov scored the first of three Tampa Bay goals in the opening 5 1/2 minutes and the Lightning beat the Colorado Avalanche 5-2 on Wednesday night for their third straight...

OCTOBER 31, 2024 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

In goal Wednesday Kahkonen will get the starting nod at home versus the Lightning on Wednesday, Evan Rawal of the Denver Gazette reports.

Impact Kahkonen will be making his Avalanche debut after the club claimed him off waivers back on Oct. 11. The 28-year-old netminder did have a conditioning stint with AHL Colorado, during which he went 0-2-0 in a pair of appearances despite a decent 2.57 GAA and .919 save percentage. With both Justus Annunen and Alexandar Georgiev putting up subpar numbers -- a .905 and .822 save percentage, respectively -- the door is open for Kahkonen to earn more opportunities with the Avs.

OCTOBER 30, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Back from conditioning loan Kahkonen was recalled from his conditioning assignment with AHL Colorado on Tuesday.

Impact During his conditioning stint, Kahkonen posted a mark of 0-2-0 with a 2.57 GAA and a .919 save percentage in two minor-league outings. He is the third goalie on the depth chart behind Justus Annunen and Alexandar Georgiev, but Kahkonen may get to see playing time due to Colorado's struggles in the crease this season.

OCTOBER 29, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Sent to AHL Colorado Kahkonen was sent to AHL Colorado on a conditioning stint Thursday.

Impact Kahkonen was picked up on waivers Oct. 11 and has yet to play in a game as Alexandar Georgiev and Justus Annunen have shared the goaltending duties. The Eagles play Friday and Sunday and it's likely that Kahkonen will get at least one start, if not both. Kahkonen struggled last season, going 7-24-3 in 37 regular-season appearances split between San Jose and New Jersey.

OCTOBER 24, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Practices Saturday Kahkonen practiced with the Avalanche on Saturday, Colleen Flynn of Colorado Hockey Now reports.

Impact Kahkonen, who was claimed off waivers from Winnipeg 10 days ago, could get into a lineup at some point during Colorado's three-game road trip, which kicks off Sunday night in San Jose. It's no secret the Avs are getting subpar goaltending from Alexandar Georgiev and back up Justus Annunen. Colorado ranks last in the NHL with 5.60 goals allowed per game, one more goal per game than the nearest team, the equally disappointing Predators.

OCTOBER 20, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Set to join team Kahkonen (not injured related) will practice with the Avalanche on Saturday.

Impact Kahkonen has arrived in Denver after settling his work visa issue. Colorado claimed the 28-year-old netminder off waivers from Winnipeg on Oct. 11. He could get a chance to see playing time soon because of the struggles of Alexandar Georgiev and Justus Annunen this season.

OCTOBER 19, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Does Avs' Claiming Of Goaltender Kaapo Kahkonen Off Waivers Signal A Potential Shift In Net? Are the Colorado Avalanche looking to make a goaltending change after picking up Kaapo Kahkonen off waivers?

OCTOBER 12, 2024 • NEWSOBSERVER.COM

Avalanche without forward Jonathan Drouin, claim goaltender Kaapo Kahkonen off waivers

The banged-up Colorado Avalanche will be without forward Jonathan Drouin due to an upper-body injury

OCTOBER 11, 2024 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Avalanche claim G Kaapo Kahkonen off waivers The Colorado Avalanche claimed veteran goaltender Kaapo Kahkonen off waivers from the Winnipeg Jets on Friday.Kahkonen, 28, played last seas...

OCTOBER 11, 2024 • NEWSOBSERVER.COM

Avalanche claim G Kaapo Kahkonen off waivers The Colorado Avalanche claimed veteran goaltender Kaapo Kahkonen off waivers from the Winnipeg Jets on Friday.Kahkonen, 28, played last seas...

OCTOBER 11, 2024 • KANSASCITY.COM

Claimed by Colorado Kahkonen was claimed off waivers by the Avalanche on Friday, according to Chris Johnston of The Athletic.

Impact Kahkonen was placed on waivers by the Jets on Thursday, as they wanted to send him to AHL Manitoba, but the Avs put in a claim for the Finnish netminder. Kahkonen will provide depth as Alexandar Georgiev and Justus Annunen are currently the top two goaltenders in the organization. Kahkonen was a combined 7-24-2 with a 3.64 GAA and an .898 save percentage in a season split between San Jose and New Jersey in 2023-24.

OCTOBER 11, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

On waiver wire Kahkonen was placed on waivers Thursday, according to Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet.

Impact The Jets will send Kahkonen to AHL Manitoba if he is not claimed. Kahkonen was in a battle with Eric Comrie for the back up spot behind Connor Hellebuyck in Winnipeg and he was unable to unseat Comrie. Kahkonen was 7-24-2 with a 3.64 GAA and an .898 save percentage in 37 regular-season appearances split between San Jose and New Jersey last season.

OCTOBER 10, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Starting preseason clash Kahkonen will be between the pipes at home versus Edmonton on Wednesday, John Lu of TSN reports.

Impact Kahkonen's performance Wednesday could go a long way toward determining who gets the backup job behind Connor Hellebuyck to open the 2024-25 campaign. It figures to be a battle throughout training camp between the 28-year-old Kahkonen and Eric Comrie, who may have the inside track due to his prior stint with the Jets.

SEPTEMBER 25, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Facing Wild Kahkonen will patrol the home crease in Saturday's preseason contest versus Minnesota.

Impact Kahkonen earned a mark of 7-24-3 with a 3.64 GAA and an .898 save percentage in 37 regular-season outings between San Jose and New Jersey in 2023-24. He is competing with Eric Comrie for the backup role behind Connor Hellebuyck during training camp.

SEPTEMBER 21, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Jets sign goaltender Kaapo Kahkonen to a one-year contract | Winnipeg Jets Kahkonen was a fourth round pick by Minnesota in 2014 NHL Draft.

JULY 1, 2024 • NHL.COM

Signs one-year agreement Kahkonen signed a one-year, $1 million contract with the Jets on Monday, per Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet.

Impact Kahkonen had a 7-24-3 record, 3.64 GAA and .898 save percentage across 37 contests between San Jose and New Jersey last season. He'll probably fight with Eric Comrie for the backup gig during training camp, and it wouldn't be surprising to see Kahkonen win that competition. Either way, Connor Hellebuyck will absorb the bulk of the starts in Winnipeg so long as he stays healthy.

JULY 1, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Tough luck loss to Flyers Kahkonen made 20 saves Saturday in a 1-0 loss to the Flyers.

Impact The only puck that got past him came off the stick of Travis Konecny, who broke in alone shorthanded and beat Kahkonen with a wrist shot from the slot. It's been a rough go for the netminder this season. He's 7-24-3 in 33 starts between San Jose and New Jersey, and while his GAA and save percentage have improved since his trade east, Kahkonen hasn't been able to translate that better performance into wins. He's just 1-4-0 with one shutout in six starts in Jersey. Kahkonen is a UFA at season's end, and his future is up in the air.

APRIL 14, 2024 • ROTOWIRE