“Potential to be No. 1 goaltender in NHL” – Kaapo Kahkonen signs two-year contract with Sharks, avoids salary arbitration hearing
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Kaapo Kahkonen
Finnish ice hockey player Kaapo Kahkonen agreed to a two-year contract (financial terms not disclosed) with the San Jose Sharks on Monday. The 25-year-old goalie was a restricted free agent and avoided a salary arbitration hearing.
Kahkonen, who was 14-14-4 with a 2.87 goals-against average and .912 save percentage in 36 games, played for the Minnesota Wild as well last season alongside the Sharks. The Helsinki native went 2-6-1 with a 2.86 GAA and .916 save percentage in 11 games after he was acquired in a trade with the Wild on March 21.
“Kaapo has shown potential to be a No. 1 goaltender in the NHL and impressed us when he joined our team in the last part of the season,” Sharks general manager Mike Grier said, as quoted by NHL.com. “We are excited to have him with us.”
“Kaapo brings strong leadership qualities on and off the ice”
Selected by the Wild in the fourth round (No. 109) of the 2014 NHL Draft, Kahkonen is 33-23-5 with a 2.88 GAA, .908 save percentage and two shutouts in 65 games (61 starts) for San Jose and Minnesota.
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“Luke is a physical player with high energy and pace to his game who can chip in offensively,” Grier said. “He also brings several strong leadership qualities on and off the ice, previously serving as captain for the U.S. National team and the University of Wisconsin.”
Notably, the Sharks also signed the American forward Luke Kunin on Monday to a two-year contract (financial terms not disclosed). The 24-year-old Kunin, who was a restricted free agent, had 22 points (13 goals, nine assists) in 82 games for the Predators last season and one assist in four postseason games.
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