Devils Should Be Pursuing Kähkönen & Markström

Kaapo Kähkönen's rebound season & Jacob Markström's strengths as a goaltender should have the New Jersey Devils eyeing both netminders.

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Everyone knows the New Jersey Devils need a goaltender. That much was clear in their 5-3 loss to the Calgary Flames a couple of nights ago, as Vitek Vaněček had a rough outing. 

Time is ticking for the Devils to get a fix in net, at least for this season. Jacob Markström is the obvious fit, given how the Devils play defensively. But coming away with a trade for Markström may take time, something the Devils don't have much of anymore with their place in the standings. 

That's why Devils general manager Tom Fitzgerald may need to think short-term. One option I've harped on for a bit here and on Twitter is Kaapo Kähkönen of the San Jose Sharks. Let's go over why he makes plenty of sense for the Devils and why they can pursue both him and Markström. 

Kähkönen Has Excelled on a Poor Sharks Team

The Sharks have not been any good this season, specifically defensively. They're giving up 3.05 expected goals per 60 minutes this season at five-on-five, the worst mark in the NHL. And only the Chicago Blackhawks have given up more high-danger chances per 60 minutes. 

But even with the weak defense, Kähkönen has performed quite well for the Sharks. You wouldn't think that based on his .901 save percentage, but his underlying numbers have been solid, especially considering the team he plays for. 

Kähkönen has saved 5.4 goals above expected at all strengths, ranking him in the top 20 among all goaltenders league-wide. That's slightly ahead of John Gibson, who some fans would like to see in a Devils sweater, and nearly two goals better than Ilya Sorokin. 

That's not to say Kähkönen is better than either netminder, but he has played well this season. It's not just his goals saved above expected that portrays him favorably, either. He has a .917 five-on-five save percentage, placing him ahead of Juuse Saros, Gibson, and Jonathan Quick, to name a few goaltenders. 

Kähkönen has also been excellent at stopping high-danger shots. His .851 high-danger SV% ranks sixth in the NHL for goalies with at least 500 minutes logged at all strengths. That's better than Linus Ullmark, Thatcher Demko, Jeremy Swayman and Sorokin.