Samuel Blais and Kaapo Kahkonen signed one year deal with Montreal Canadiens
The Montreal Canadiens have added two experienced names to their roster ahead of the new season. General Manager Kent Hughes confirmed on Tuesday that the team has signed forward Samuel Blais and goaltender Kaapo Kahkonen to one-year, one-way contracts. The move strengthens both the offense and goaltending departments as the team looks ahead with strategic intent.
Samuel Blais Returns to the NHL Spotlight
After a strong season in the AHL, Samuel Blais is ready for another NHL chapter. The 29-year-old winger showcased his skills with the Abbotsford Canucks in 2024–25. He played 51 regular-season games, amassing 40 points through 14 goals and 26 assists. His physicality was evident as well, collecting 44 penalty minutes.
Blais truly shone during the playoffs. He tallied six goals and 13 assists across 23 playoff games, playing a major role in Abbotsford’s Calder Cup victory. His playoff performance proved he still has the firepower and determination needed at the highest level.
A native of Montmagny, Quebec, Blais brings both hometown pride and NHL experience. He has skated in 257 NHL games with the St. Louis Blues and New York Rangers, notching 71 career points and spending 122 minutes in the penalty box.
Originally drafted by the Blues in the sixth round of the 2014 NHL Draft, Blais will now look to make an impact with the Canadiens.
Kaapo Kahkonen Adds Depth Between the Pipes
Alongside Blais, the Canadiens have secured goaltender Kaapo Kahkonen, who also joins on a one-year, one-way deal. The 28-year-old Finnish netminder brings valuable depth to Montreal’s goaltending unit.
Kahkonen’s 2024–25 season spanned three AHL teams — the Colorado Eagles, Manitoba Moose, and Charlotte Checkers. Across 56 regular-season appearances, he recorded a 14-20-1 record. However, he found his rhythm in the playoffs with the Checkers, helping the team with a 12-6 record, an impressive .906 save percentage, and a 2.18 goals-against average in 18 postseason matches.
Kahkonen stands at 6-foot-2 and weighs 217 pounds, giving him a commanding presence in the crease. His NHL resume includes 140 games with the Minnesota Wild, San Jose Sharks, New Jersey Devils, and Colorado Avalanche. He has a 49-68-15 record, with four shutouts, a career .898 save percentage, and a 3.34 GAA.
Originally picked by the Wild in the fourth round of the 2014 NHL Draft, Kahkonen is now set for a new chapter in Montreal.
Canadiens Eye Experience and Versatility
With these signings, Montreal is clearly aiming to bolster its NHL roster with versatile talent and reliable depth. Both Blais and Kahkonen offer something valuable—Blais brings grit and scoring, while Kahkonen adds steadiness and playoff experience in the net.
The one-way structure of the contracts signals that the Canadiens expect both players to contribute at the NHL level, not in the minors. It’s a strategic move by Hughes, aimed at creating competition and improving the team’s consistency as they build for the future.
As the season approaches, fans can expect both players to fight hard for their roles and bring renewed energy to the Canadiens’ lineup.
