Three Destinations Sharks Could Trade Kaapo Kahkonen
By Conor Power
Carolina Hurricanes
If you want to talk about a team desperate for netminding improvements, the Carolina Hurricanes will be towards the top of any list. This is a team with a cup window right now desperate for someone who can make a save for their hockey club. With almost half their roster needing a new contract in the summer, this is the last chance the Hurricanes organization is going to have with that bulk of players.
Carolina's starting netminder is Frederik Andersen, but he has been dealing with a blood clotting issue. You never want to see that, and you have to hope for the best for the Danish goalie, but there is no timetable on the return of Carolina's ace netminder, if he returns at all. That hole in the Canes lineup has left the organization in Raleigh fighting hard to stay above .500 on a week-by-week basis.
Antti Raanta is a capable backup netminder, but he set an NHL record for the lowest single-game save percentage in a game the Hurricanes lost 8-1, where he only faced 14 shots. He has not been the answer for the Hurricanes. Youngster Pyotr Kochetkov came up from AHL Syracuse because the Canes do not have their own AHL affiliate and looks like a goaltender being rushed into the big leagues.
You could probably nab a 2024 second-round pick from this Carolina team for Kahkonen. Carolina has two, including one from the Philadelphia Flyers. Depending on which pick the Sharks want to target, perhaps the Canes could even send money back in the form of Raanta. If that was the case, San Jose could even potentially explore moving him to a new home and getting another draft pick in exchange.
Question for Blades of Teal Readers: Where would you like to see Kahkonen traded to and what for?