Major NHL waiver movement sees NHL goaltender claimed by the Winnipeg Jets

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Daniel Lucente
November 12, 2024 (4:20 PM)

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Kaapo Kahkonen appears to be returning to the Winnipeg Jets, as the team has claimed him off waivers from the Colorado Avalanche.

The Winnipeg Jets signed goaltender Kaapo Kahkonen on July 1st, planning to have him be the backup to star goalie Connor Hellebuyck.

However, he lost the backup during training camp to Eric Comrie, meaning he was ticketed for an assignment with the AHL's Manitoba Moose.

To report to the Moose, Kahkonen needed to clear waivers and was placed on waivers on October 10th.

The Colorado Avalanche, also having their own goaltending woes, wasted little time claiming Kahkonen off waivers the next day.

However, visa issues delayed his playing and by October 24th, he was sent down to Colorado's AHL affiliate, the Colorado Eagles, on a conditioning stint.

In two games with the Eagles, he recorded a 0-2-0 record, a strong .919 save percentage, and a 2.57 goals-against-average.

Kahkonen returned to the lineup of the Avalanche on October 29th and made his season's debut against the Tampa Bay Lightning on October 30th.

His outing, though, wasn't exactly ideal as he let in four goals on 20 shots for a .800 save percentage. After that performance, the Avalanche decided to waive him on Monday.

With November here, the NHL's waiver priority system switches to one based on current standings; the Jets fall last, that is, 32nd, for waiver claims, greatly limiting the opportunities to reclaim Kahkonen.

None of the other NHL teams placed a claim, though, and Winnipeg was able to bring him back, sending him directly to their AHL affiliate.

In other waiver news, both the Maple Leafs' Matt Benning and Blackhawks' Andreas Athanasiou cleared waivers without a claim.

The Ducks have placed goalie James Reimer on waivers today while the Hurricanes have placed defenseman Riley Stillman on waivers.

We will know by 2 pm tomorrow whether these latest waiver placements were claimed or not.