### Nashville Predators Acquire Goaltender Justus Annunen from Colorado Avalanche

In a decisive move, the Nashville Predators have fortified their goaltending lineup by acquiring goaltender Justus Annunen and a sixth-round pick in the 2025 NHL Draft from the Colorado Avalanche. This trade involves sending goaltender Scott Wedgewood to Colorado in exchange.

Annunen, who hails from Kempele, Finland, is a promising talent at 24 years old. The 6-foot-4, 210-pound netminder has accumulated a 6-4-0 record with a 3.23 goals-against average and a .872 save percentage in 11 games (nine starts) for the Avalanche this season. His remarkable performance includes a season-high 26-save game against Ottawa on October 27, which was part of a streak where he secured four consecutive wins from October 20-27. Over his career, Annunen has proven to be a dependable goaltender, recording at least 25 saves in four out of his 11 appearances this season.

Initially selected by Colorado in the third round (64th overall) of the 2018 NHL Draft, Annunen made his NHL debut in December 2021. Over the course of his NHL tenure, he has managed to achieve a 16-9-2 record and a 2.81 goals-against average in 29 career games (24 starts). His 2023-24 season with Colorado saw him reach career highs with 14 games played, 12 starts, eight wins, and two shutouts.

Annunen's career has also seen significant involvement in the AHL with the Colorado Eagles, where he posted a record of 60-29-19, including a notable 24 wins in the 2021-22 season. Before his transition to North American hockey, he gained experience playing in Finland's Liiga, where he led the league in goals-against average (1.77) and save percentage (.929) during the 2019-20 season. Furthermore, Annunen boasts international success, having won gold at the 2018 U-18 World Championship and participated in the 2020 World Junior Championship for Finland.

Following this trade, the Predators now possess an impressive 10 picks in the 2025 NHL Draft, including three in the first round and two in both the second and sixth rounds, alongside single selections in the third, fourth, and fifth rounds.

The acquisition of Annunen signifies a strategic move for the Nashville Predators in their quest to enhance their roster and eye future successes on the ice.