TRADE: Devils Acquire Kaapo Kahkonen From Sharks

Friday, March 08, 2024 ,

In a last-minute deal, the San Jose Sharks and New Jersey Devils have swapped goaltenders, with Kaapo Kahkonen heading to New Jersey in exchange for Vitek Vanecek.

San Jose also receives a seventh-round pick from New Jersey in the deal.

Both goalies are having rough years, however, they'll each get a fresh start with their new teams.

Kahkonen is in the final year of a 2-year, $5.5M deal with the Sharks. 

Acquired from the Minnesota Wild at the 2021-22 trade deadline, Kahkonen has struggled during his time in San Jose, who have been at the bottom of the league since his arrival.

Over 79 games played with the Sharks, the 27-year-old posted an .892 SV%, 3.71 GAA, one shutout, and a 17-46-11 record. However, prior to that, Kahkonen put up some decent stats with the Wild, including a .907 SV%, 2.88 GAA, two shutouts, and a 31-17-4 record.

It will be interesting to see if he can reclaim some of that success he found previously with the Wild. 

In return, Vanecek heads to San Jose. 

The 28-year-old Vanecek has also had a brutal 2023-24 season, after posting the best numbers of his career in 2022-23 with the Devils.

This season, he holds an .890 SV%, 3.18 GAA, and a 17-9-3 record over 32 appearances. As mentioned, last season Vanecek had the best year of his four-year career, recording a solid .911 SV%, 2.45 GAA, three shutouts, and an impressive 33-11-4 record.

Vanecek is in the second year of a 3-year, $10.2M deal signed back in 2022-23. He'll carry a $2.9M cap hit into next season.

Both goaltenders now get fresh starts with their new teams and it will be interesting to see how they perform down the final stretch of the season. 

Photo Credit:  John Hefti-USA TODAY Sports

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