REPORT: Teams Interested in Trading for Kahkonen?

Teams have taken notice of Kaapo Kahkonen’s recent play.

That’s according to Elliotte Friedman, on his New Year’s Day “32 Thoughts Podcast”: “He’s having a great year. People think he’s good.”

While it was Mackenzie Blackwood who starred for the San Jose Sharks in October and November, winning Player of the Month back-to-back, his play dipped in December, while Kahkonen’s improved.

Kahkonen had seven starts in December, going 3-4-1 with a .914 Save %, while Blackwood went 1-4-0 with an .847 Save % in six starts.

“Expiring deal, and if you look at the underlying numbers – the Moneypuck numbers – very good goals saved above expected,” Friedman said of the pending San Jose Sharks UFA, who has an expiring contract with a $2.75 million AAV.

Through Jan. 5, Kahkonen is 17th in the NHL with a +3.36 Goals Saved Above Expected, per Evolving Hockey (of 30 goalies, 950-plus minutes played), while Blackwood is 26th with a -1.02.

“I think there’s a few teams that thought about him,” Friedman said of Kahkonen. “Number one, what’s the price? Number two, the only negative I heard was that you just don’t know. He’s just never really had to do it before.”

Friedman added: “He can’t be a system goalie, because San Jose is giving up a lot of goals, so you have to like him.”

The 27-year-old Finn has never made a playoff appearance or made more than 37 appearances in season.

“Even the middling goalies, the prices are crazy,” Friedman said. While Kahkonen is having a solid campaign, he fits that definition.

Friedman cited the Carolina Hurricanes, New Jersey Devils, and Edmonton Oilers as teams that are interested in goalies, but for the right price.

So question is, what’s the San Jose Sharks’ price for Kahkonen?