3. Trade for Kaapo Kahkonen
The more things change, the more they stay the same. How could we end up with a Jake Allen-Kaapo Kahkonen tandem down the stretch, which played incredibly well down the stretch last season? After a year’s worth of terrible goaltending, the Devils were so happy to have Kahkonen back there, especially since it only cost them a seventh-round pick (and they got rid of the Vitek Vanecek contract in the deal).
Kahkonen started the season with the Winnipeg Jets, but they lost him on waivers to the Colorado Avalanche, which just did everything they could to have as many former Devils goalies as possible. They eventually put him on waivers, and he was re-claimed by the Winnipeg Jets, but he hasn’t played in the NHL yet this season with them (he had one game with Colorado).
Kahkonen is having a rough season with the Manitoba Moose of the AHL, but you have to trust what you saw in the NHL this year over whatever he’s dealing with this year. He had a .923 save percentage in six starts.
With the Devils' current defense, Kahkonen would not need to dominate like he did last season. He just needs to stop the gimmes, and he’ll be fine. Did he forget how to play hockey this offseason? If the Devils don’t think so, they should make the move since it would cost them almost nothing.