Montreal Canadiens Add Pair of Free Agents

Canadiens Sign Kaapo Kahkonen and Sammy Blais

Kaapo Kahkonen will now join his fifth team during his short career. Kahkonen has appeared in 140 NHL games, posting a 49-68-15 record. He’s posted a career 3.34 goals-against average to go along with a .898 save percentage.

Last season, Kahkonen only appeared in one NHL game for the Colorado Avalanche, allowing four goals on 20 shots.

Kahkonen was originally drafted by the Minnesota Wild in the fourth round, 109th overall, in the 2014 NHL Entry Draft.

Sammy Blais will now join his third team over his career. After spending time with the New York Rangers and St. Louis Blues, Blais comes back to his home province to play with the Canadiens. Blais has scored 27 goals and 71 points in 257 games.

Blais was originally drafted in the sixth round, 176th overall, in the 2014 NHL Entry Draft.

What Kahkonen and Blais Can Bring to the Canadiens

In Kahkonen, the Canadiens get a veteran goaltender with over 140 games of NHL experience. This was a need as the Canadiens recently shipped out netminder Cayden Primeau. This will bring some healthy competition for the backup role behind Samuel Montembeault as he will battle Jakub Dobes for that position. At the very least, it will give goaltender Jacob Fowler a strong veteran presence in Laval to help him develop.

In Blais, the Canadiens get another depth piece who loves to throw around the body. After they let Michael Pezzetta walk, they felt the need to replace him with another player who plays a similar game. Blais is a solid energy-type of player who leaves it all on the ice each and every game. He will be a welcome addition to the Canadiens’ bottom six.