Canadiens Secure Kaapo Kähkönen in Key Depth Move After Primeau Trade
So, here’s something that just dropped — and it’s got Montreal Canadiens fans talking. The Habs have officially signed goaltender Kaapo Kähkönen to a one-year, one-way contract worth $1.15 million. The timing is no coincidence either — this move comes immediately after the team traded away Cayden Primeau, so Kähkönen slides right into the goaltending depth chart to fill that hole. And while it may not be the flashiest signing of free agency, it’s a smart one with plenty of context.
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Kähkönen, now 28, brings with him a solid resume of pro experience. He’s played in 140 NHL games and 109 in the AHL , so we’re talking about a goalie who knows the grind of both leagues well. Standing at 6’2” and weighing 216 lbs, he’s a solid physical presence in net. Last season, he split time across multiple organizations — Winnipeg, Colorado, and Florida — mostly in the AHL. And get this: he helped lead the Charlotte Checkers on a strong playoff run, going 12-6 with a 2.18 GAA and a .906 save percentage , knocking Laval Rocket (yes, Montreal’s affiliate) out of the postseason along the way.
Now that he’s wearing the same colors, Kähkönen is likely headed to Laval himself — but this time as a mentor. That’s big for the Canadiens' goaltending pipeline, especially for Jacob Fowler , their top goalie prospect. Kähkönen provides experienced, steady depth. He may not be expected to play heavy NHL minutes, but he’s there if needed and fits neatly under the cap — his $1.15 million cap hit can be fully buried in the AHL if necessary.
Alongside Kähkönen, Montreal also inked forward Samuel Blais to a one-year, $775,000 contract. Blais, 29, just won a Calder Cup with Abbotsford , posting solid numbers — 14 goals and 26 assists in 50 regular season games, plus an impressive 19 points in the playoffs. Like Kähkönen, Blais offers reliable depth and will likely bolster Laval’s roster, which has already seen some exits this offseason.
Overall, this was a smart bit of business by GM Kent Hughes. The Canadiens are clearly focused on stabilizing their development system and providing security for both their NHL and AHL squads. Kaapo Kähkönen may not be a headline-grabbing name, but for a team that’s shifting pieces and looking ahead, his signing might turn out to be quietly important.
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