Kaapo Kahkonen Steps Up as Laval Rocket's Primary Goaltender After Fowler's Recall
Kaapo Kahkonen arrived at Place Bell on Wednesday morning for practice and immediately noticed something unusual—fellow goaltender Jacob Fowler was nowhere to be seen. This absence signaled a significant shift for the Laval Rocket veteran, as Fowler had been recalled by the Montreal Canadiens for his second stint with the NHL team this season.
A Professional Approach Amid Changing Circumstances
While the Rocket has recalled goaltender Hunter Jones from the ECHL's Trois-Rivières Lions, Kahkonen is expected to receive the majority of playing time moving forward. This development also indicates that Canadiens management views Fowler, a 21-year-old rookie, as a better immediate option than the 29-year-old Kahkonen, who boasts 140 games of NHL experience with Minnesota, San Jose, New Jersey, and Colorado.
"Obviously, you want to be the guy getting called up if there ever is a call-up," Kahkonen told The Gazette after practice. "But as a professional, you have to focus on your job, getting better and working on your game every day."
The native of Helsinki, Finland, added that he doesn't dwell on his future, stating, "I don't think about my future. It's not up to me to decide. I've learned not to think about it too much. At the end of the day, it's about you doing your job and the guy next to you doing his job. That's how a team works."
Proven Track Record and Team Confidence
Kahkonen's competitive spirit remains undiminished, with his ultimate goal being a return to the NHL. The Canadiens signed him to a one-year, US$1.15-million contract last July 1, shortly after he delivered a standout performance against Laval in the Eastern Conference final. During that series, he allowed only six goals in a four-game sweep for Charlotte.
This season with Laval, Kahkonen has compiled an impressive 17-6-4 record, with a 2.58 goals-against average and a .902 save percentage. His recent performance includes a 4-3 shootout victory against Rochester, where the shootout extended to eight rounds and he allowed just two goals.
Rocket head coach Pascal Vincent expressed strong confidence in Kahkonen's abilities. "We played him in the playoffs last year and he beat us," Vincent told The Gazette. "Obviously, his team played really good in front of him, but he's a really good goalie. He has played games in the NHL. I think the boys feel comfortable, whether it's Kahkonen or Fowler."
Immediate Challenges and Future Prospects
Vincent emphasized Kahkonen's professionalism and experience, noting that the goaltender frequently offers suggestions about special teams and other aspects of the game based on his extensive background. "We feel good with Kahkonen," Vincent stated. "It's not just a quote to say it and answer your question. We believe in him and we're going to play him every time we can."
This vote of confidence comes at a crucial time as Laval prepares for back-to-back games at Utica and Syracuse this weekend. While many coaches hesitate to play goalies consecutively, Kahkonen demonstrated his durability last month when he played three games in three days on the road while Fowler was ill. The Rocket won the first two games in overtime and a shootout before dropping the finale, with Kahkonen allowing six goals total.
Kahkonen hasn't seen NHL action since October 30, 2024, when he played for the Colorado Avalanche against the Tampa Bay Lightning. His most extensive NHL playing time came with the San Jose Sharks, where he appeared in 68 games between 2021 and 2023. Over his NHL career, he has recorded 49 wins, a 3.34 goals-against average, an .898 save percentage, and four shutouts.
Focus on the Present
Eligible to become an unrestricted free agent this summer, the 6-foot-2, 194-pound Kahkonen acknowledges he could be playing for his future, though he maintains a day-by-day approach. "Who knows if Fowler's only there until tomorrow?" Kahkonen pondered. "I don't think about that. He could be there for the next 10 years or come back next week. It's not up to me to decide."
Reflecting on his career trajectory, Kahkonen added, "If you think about your future, you're obviously not thinking about something else, which is today. You only have so much energy or so much time in your day. It's the same thing as last year. I got waived, go to Colorado, waived again. Go back to Winnipeg. Get traded and go to Charlotte. Play. What else are you going to think about except right now? You never know."
Despite the uncertainties, Kahkonen remains clear about his aspirations: "I prefer playing in the NHL. That's my No. 1 option." For now, his focus is squarely on leading the Laval Rocket's netminding efforts as they continue their pursuit of success in the North Division, where they currently hold first place, three points ahead of Syracuse, though the Crunch has played three fewer games.
