Robert Edwards-USA TODAY Sports activities
The Colorado Avalanche have claimed goaltender Kaapo Kahkonen off waivers, including depth to their goaltending tandem following a shaky begin to the season. The query turns into: have the Avs already misplaced religion in Alexandar Georgiev and Justus Annunen?
The 28-year-old Kahkonen spent the earlier season splitting time between the San Jose Sharks and New Jersey Devils, recording a mixed 7-24-3 document with a .898 save share and a 3.64 goals-against common. His numbers aren’t off-the-charts unbelievable, however he does have expertise and people numbers is likely to be deceptive primarily based on the very fact he performed for a lowly Sharks workforce final season. In San Jose, he struggled, which needs to be anticipated. Nevertheless, after being traded to the Devils in March, Kahkonen confirmed enchancment, ending his marketing campaign with a .923 save share and a 2.51 GAA in six video games.
In the meantime, Georgiev, who struggled through the workforce’s opening evening loss to the Vegas Golden Knights is coming off a sub-par 2023-24 marketing campaign. Georgiev allowed 5 targets on simply 16 pictures earlier than being pulled after two durations this week. It prompted head coach Jared Bednar to place in Annunen, who did not fare significantly better.
Bednar expressed his disappointment with the workforce’s goaltending, as did others on the workforce.
“It’s not adequate,” Bednar said, hinting that the goaltending state of affairs wanted bettering. He wasn’t the one one to voice issues. Mikko Rantanen, who picked up a hat trick within the loss, stated after the sport. “In the event that they solely had 20 pictures, possibly it wasn’t that many, however possibly the standard was too good for them.” A few of that was directed on the workforce, however there was an underlying trace that the membership wanted extra saves.
Between the coach and the star participant on the workforce publicly calling out the goaltending, the writing was on the wall.
Rantanen wasn’t shy about singing the praises of Kahkonen both. As soon as he realized he’d been picked up, he talked concerning the historical past on the World Juniors and stated, “I believe he’s a great goalie.”
Rantanen on fellow Finn Kaapo Kahkonen, who’s his age.
“We skated collectively in the summertime, and we gained the World Juniors collectively. So, yeah, it is good to have him. I believe he is a great goalie.”
— Aarif Deen (@runwriteAarif) October 11, 2024
With Kahkonen now within the fold, the Avalanche could also be seeking to transfer on from Georgiev, whether or not now or later within the season.
Groups do not usually run with three goalies and if the group is feeling like Georgiev’s time has handed, a commerce may very well be on the horizon. He is a pending UFA taking part in out a contract that may see him make $3.4 million this season. Ought to the Avs establish a workforce with netminding wants, possibly there is a match.
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