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 season with the San Jose Sharks and New Jersey Devils, posting a 7-24-3 record, .898 save percentage and 3.64 goals-against average in 37 games (33 starts).

The Jets, who signed him to a one-year, $1 million contract in the offseason, waived him on Thursday with the intent to send him to Manitoba of the American Hockey League. Winnipeg has starter Connor Hellebuyck and backup Eric Comrie on its roster.

The Avalanche opened the season with an 8-4 loss at the Vegas Golden Knights on Wednesday. Starter Alexandar Georgiev yielded five goals on 16 shots and Justus Annunen turned aside two of four shots.

A native of Finland, Kahkonen has a career 49-67-15 record in 139 games (131 starts) with a .899 save percentage, 3.33 GAA and four shoutouts. He has played for the Minnesota Wild (2019-22), Sharks (2022-24) and Devils (2024). The Wild selected him in the fourth round of the 2014 NHL Draft.

--Field Level Media