Photo credit: John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images
According to information reported by Expressen, goaltender Kaapo Kähkönen is seriously considering the possibility of continuing his career in Europe.
Since the start of the season, the Finnish veteran has been sharing duties with young prospect Jacob Fowler with the Laval Rocket.
Having failed to get any playing time with the Canadiens despite a recall, the option of heading overseas is becoming increasingly likely.
The Swiss leagues (National League) and Sweden (SHL) are being mentioned as potential destinations going forward.
A fourth-round pick of the Wild in 2014, Kähkönen was a regular in the NHL between 2020 and 2024.
However, his trip through waivers earlier this season without being claimed confirmed how fragile his status in North America has become.
He still holds a respectable record in the American Hockey League with a 2.67 goals-against average and a .905 save percentage.
Those numbers remain attractive for a European team looking for an experienced goaltender.
A departure that would benefit Jacob Fowler’s development
This scenario strangely mirrors that of Connor Hughes, who left the Rocket for Lausanne HC in 2024–2025.
Hughes also posted nearly identical statistics to Kähkönen’s before heading to Switzerland.
For the Montreal organization, this potential departure would greatly simplify goaltending management at the farm team level.
On the other hand, it would create a hole in net in Laval.
The current rotation system limits the number of games for Jacob Fowler, who is considered the goaltender of the future.
If Kähkönen leaves for Europe, the American prospect would become the undisputed starter in Laval, though he would obviously still need a backup.
This is a situation to monitor closely in the coming weeks.
Previously on Montreal Hockey Fanatics