Confirmed with Link: Minnesota signs Kaapo Kahkonen

[Bazeek]

Guess it worked out after all.

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[SomethingGeneric]

Hey some good news! I was big for signing him so this good news will get me through the rest of finals week!

 

[Wild11MN]

Wow, sweet! Thought it wouldn't happen!

 

[Minnesnota]

Not gonna lie, really strange that deals are still happening when we don't have a GM.

You would think that a new GM would want to make these decisions to get a few "wins" under his belt right away and to develop a report with these new players.

 

[Bazeek]

The Martinsson one was a little odd, but signing drafted prospects to ELC's seems straightforward enough to just need a warm body to sign the paperwork.

 

[Dr Jan Itor]

Unexpected. Figured he was a goner.

 

[FinPanda]

Unexpected. Figured he was a goner.

Good or bad way?

 

[Dr Jan Itor]

Good or bad way?

Bad way.

 

[57special]

Way to go, Flair!

 

[FinPanda]

Bad way.

He had a great last year. Happy to see him getting signed. I don't think you have that many G prospects of his potential anyway.

 

[Lapa]

Sweet. He's a good goalie.

 

[Dr Jan Itor]

He had a great last year. Happy to see him getting signed. I don't think you have that many G prospects of his potential anyway.

We don't have any. That's why I was worried that he was walking.

 

[DANOZ28]

great news! whew we dodged a bullet. we needed a solid prospect. michalek really didn't take the next step last year.

 

[Wabit]

I'm surprised, in a good way, that the deal got signed. It sounded rather dire from some reports.

 

[Goose312]

Glad he got signed. Might not be anything but at least it's something in the future for goaltender.

 

[Mestaruus]

Finnesota filling the Finnesota quota finally.

 

[ijuka]

Good goalie, I think that he might have NHL potential with good tutelage.

And he's also a certified "jumaliste mikä seppä".

 

[a79krgm]

It doesn't seem like any other goalie drafted in his class in 2014 has distinguished himself yet. Maybe Kahkonen will be the first one. Like the name "Kaapo".

 

[Nharris31]

He can score goals.

 

[Puhis]

Clears throat

"JA NYT MUUTEN LÄHETÄÄN HAKEE! KAAPO! KAAPO! KAAPO! JES! JES!! JES!!!"

And now that this is out of the way... great! Wanted to see Kaapo signed for a long time. He's been very solid in Finland, and is still young. Plenty of upside in him. Would love to see him get over here and show what he's got. Granted, Finland is not a bad place for a goalie to develop further either, but eventually he does need to make the jump.

Just glad his career has been good so far. Hopefully, it continues that way.

 

[Deleted member 55113]

How will he fit into the AHL, between Michalek and Svedberg? Both are FAs, so assume one goes? Or sign both and keep Michalek in the ECHL?

 

[Digitalbooya]

Svedburg is gone. I'd bet money on it.

 

[Wabit]

Svedburg is gone. I'd bet money on it.

Probably Vay too.

 

[Saga of the Elk]

How will he fit into the AHL, between Michalek and Svedberg? Both are FAs, so assume one goes? Or sign both and keep Michalek in the ECHL?

I think Kahkonen is the number three guy immediately. Michalek could be traded since he has a decent track record in the AHL. Beribeau is probably either the AHL backup or the starter in Rapid City.

And they'll almost definitely draft a goalie this June.

 

[Deleted member 55113]

And they'll almost definitely draft a goalie this June.

Given the goalie pipeline, they're almost better drafting (or signing older UFA) - Veini Vehviläinen had a solid year last year and would provide Kaapo competition to keep him honest.