The Colorado Avalanche have added another goaltender to the fold.
Colorado claimed Kaapo Kahkonen off waivers from the Winnipeg Jets on Friday. He was waived by the Jets on Thursday.
A fourth-round selection by the Minnesota Wild in 2014, Kahkonen has started 51 games in the NHL with the Wild, San Jose Sharks and New Jersey Devils.
He started 27 games with the Sharks and six games with the Devils during the 2023-24 season. Kahkonen accumulated an .895 save percentage with the Sharks and bumped it up to .923 with the Devils last season.
The 28-year-old has a .907 career save percentage with a 2.88 goals-against average.
The Avalanche were in the market for a goaltender after they let up seven goals on 20 shots. Alexandar Georgiev played the first two periods, making 11 saves on 16 shots. Justus Anunnen made 2 saves on four shots in the third period.
“It’s a player with experience, he has played well in places before. And he’s free,” head coach Jared Bednar said. “If it can elevate the other goaltenders great. If he can play well, great. If we can get incrementally better with low risk it’s a good move.”
Kahkonen will have to deal with immigration as he is coming back to the United States after playing in Winnipeg. Bednar said it could take him a week before he can join the team.
The Avalanche have not made a corresponding move yet and they will not have to until he officially joins the team. In theory, the Avs could keep three goalies although it is more likely that Annunen will be sent to the Colorado Eagles.
