The Montreal Canadiens' signing of veteran goaltender Kaapo Kähkönen to a one-year, $1.15 million contract has added an intriguing layer to their evolving goalie situation. While not a high-profile move, this signing could provide valuable benefits for the Canadiens, both at the NHL level and in their AHL affiliate.

Kähkönen, 28, brings a wealth of experience and a resilient attitude to the Canadiens organization. He has played 140 NHL games with a 49-68-15 record, a 3.34 goals-against average, and an .898 save percentage. The 6-foot-2 Finnish netminder has shown flashes of potential, including a nine-game winning streak with the Minnesota Wild in the 2020-21 season.

Last season was a bit of a whirlwind for Kähkönen, as he played for four different teams. He only appeared in one NHL game for the Colorado Avalanche and spent the majority of his time in the AHL with the Colorado Eagles, Manitoba Moose, and Charlotte Checkers. In the AHL, he recorded a 14-20-1 record. Despite the instability, Kähkönen's experience and past performances suggest he can still contribute valuable minutes when needed.

The Canadiens' goaltending landscape shifted recently when they traded Cayden Primeau. This move appeared to pave the way for Samuel Montembeault to take the reins as the starting goalie, with Jakub Dobes potentially filling the backup role. However, the addition of Kähkönen adds competition and uncertainty to the equation.

While Montembeault has likely earned the starting position, the backup spot is now a battleground. Kähkönen's one-way contract doesn't guarantee him an NHL roster spot, meaning he'll have to compete with Dobes for the opportunity. Dobes, 24, is still developing, and a return to the AHL wouldn't necessarily be a setback for him.

The Canadiens also have top goaltending prospect Jacob Fowler in their system. He will likely need at least one full season in the AHL before being considered for the NHL. Kähkönen can serve as a mentor to Fowler in Laval while also providing experienced depth for the organization.

The Canadiens' management is keeping an eye on Yevgeni Volokhin, a goaltending prospect currently playing in the KHL. Volokhin plans to attend the development camp this summer, adding another layer of intrigue to the Canadiens' future goaltending plans.

The Canadiens also drafted two goalies in the 2025 NHL Draft: Arseni Radkov and Alexis Cournoyer. Radkov, a towering Belarusian, is committed to UMass and is expected to make the jump in 2026-27. Cournoyer, a native of Trois-Rivieres, will attend Cornell University.

The signing of Kaapo Kähkönen isn't about finding a franchise netminder. It's a strategic move to bolster the team's goaltending depth, create internal competition, and provide mentorship for younger players. This sneaky good signing has undoubtedly made the Canadiens' goalie battle a lot more interesting to watch.