The New Jersey Devils are reportedly in the goalie market. They want to get some insurance for their starter Jacob Markstrom. They are committed to Nico Daws, who signed a two-year deal with a full NHL salary in the second year (which is next year). However, they don't seem content with going into next year with a Markstrom-Daws tandem.
Devils GM Tom Fitzgerald has said he is interested in bringing back current backup Jake Allen, but he's literally the best goalie on the free agent market. The Devils just can't afford to pay $3+ million for a backup goalie when they can get one for around 50% of that. Allen might even see his salary balloon to $5 million or more because of the lack of options in free agency.
With Allen likely off the table, the Devils are looking at some of the other backup options. They won't be in the market for someone like John Gibson, but they could target a former Markstrom teammate in Dan Vladar. Vladar's career has been mediocre at best, and his arrival in New Jersey shouldn't negate Daws' opportunity to take the backup role. However, the price tag might dictate different feelings.
After Vladar, the options are THIN. Literally, some lists have Vitek Vanecek as a top-five goaltending free agent. There's also buyout options like Philipp Grubauer and possibly Tristan Jarry. However, with such a thin market, they might still bring a bidding war.
Instead of hitting up Allen or other options, the Devils should target Kaapo Kahkonen. He was really good in a short stint in New Jersey. In six games, he had a .923 save percentage. Again, it's a really short stint, but it was incredibly successful.
New Jersey Devils should sign Kaapo Kahkonen to a deal
This season, Kahkonen played for four teams, including three different AHL teams. He finished the season with the Charlotte Checkers as a member of the Florida Panthers. He would have been the emergency goalie behind Vanecek and Sergei Bobrovsky, but since he was busy in the Calder Cup Playoffs, that honor went to fellow former Devils goalie Evan Cormier.
The real reason this move makes sense is because Kahkonen is good enough to play in the NHL but also will accept the role if he doesn't beat Daws as the backup. The Devils are likely welcoming Jakub Malek as their starter for the Utica Comets.
Meanwhile, Kahkonen led the Checkers to the Calder Cup Finals. He got big playoff minutes in a professional setting. The Devils would feel good about signing a player that gives them true depth.
And that's the point of this offseason. The Devils went into last season as a house of cards. Too many injuries would cause the deck to collapse, and it happened pretty quickly. That includes an injury to Jacob Markstrom that almost healed too late. He looked terrible coming off a knee injury early in 2025. If that happened in March or April, the Devils might have been swept.
Kahkonen at least gives them someone capable as a third goalie option. He's not going to blow the doors off, but he will keep his team in the game. Having him as a third goalie on the NHL roster or as a guy they can call upon in the AHL makes too much sense.