Annunen’s development has been a story of continuous progression since being drafted 64th overall by the Avalanche in the 2018 NHL Draft. After shining in Finland’s Liiga, he transitioned to North America, joining the Colorado Eagles in the AHL.
His first season required adjustments, particularly to the faster pace and smaller rink size of North American ice, but under the mentorship of goaltending coach Peter Budaj, he steadily honed his craft.
He became the Eagles’ starter and held the role with consistency, showing his ability to carry a heavy workload. His 2022 Calder Cup playoffs demonstrated promise under pressure, and there was a stark difference in the Eagles’ record once he returned from injury this past year.
He became quicker and made better reads on net plays: alert and smart with his stick to cut the passes through the crease and calm pushes post-to-post.
After an impressive training camp to open the 2023-24 season, he forced his way into NHL conversations within the Avs organization.
A lower-body injury sidelined him for a month shortly after, complicating the situation. The organization brought in Ivan Prosvetov which created additional competition.
Nonetheless, he earned starts later in the season and handled the pressure well, finishing with an 8-4-1 record and a .921 save percentage—including two shutouts against Chicago and a third shutout against Nashville in relief.
The Avs’ decision to move Annunen wasn’t taken lightly. Last March, the organization demonstrated confidence in his future by signing him to a two-year contract extension worth $1.6 million. At the time, General Manager Chris MacFarland called Annunen a “hard-working young goaltender who has earned the opportunity to compete at the NHL level.”
Head coach Jared Bednar also expressed faith in Annunen’s potential during media day in September, suggesting he could help ease Alexandar Georgiev’s workload.
“Annunen, I got a lot of confidence in this guy,” said Bednar.
However, the Avs found themselves at a crossroads just ten games into this season. A concerning start exposed vulnerabilities in their goaltending.
Georgiev’s performance initially faltered, with a .822 save percentage and a 4.62 goals-against average in the first ten-game stretch. Annunen didn’t fare much better in relief, but he seized the opportunity once he earned his starts and won four straight in their season-high five-game winning streak to salvage the back half of the first ten games.
Although Georgiev rebounded, improving to a .925 save percentage over the team’s next ten games, the need for a reliable safety net became urgent after a humiliating loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning wherein both goaltenders drowned in the 8-2 defeat.
In Annunen’s nine starts, he posted a respectable 6-4-0 record, but inconsistencies against top-tier opponents like Washington and Tampa Bay underscored the challenges of facing elite competition.
Annunen will turn 25-years-old this season. He’s still a goaltending prospect, but compared to other high-end prospects around the league (Lukas Dostal, Dustin Wolf, Yaroslav Askarov), he has a couple of years on them which puts him in the hot seat.
Taken as a third-round pick, the Avs had a homegrown goaltender in the pipeline who steadily improved over three full pro seasons with a dip here in his fourth year. His trajectory was otherwise on par with other goaltenders.
If the Avs were in a different competitive window, they’d arguably be moving on prematurely. Other teams with younger prospects found starts for their goaltenders sooner, but their numbers demanded it and their position as a team afforded it.
It’s important to recognize that goaltenders are developed differently from other positions, and Annunen did everything asked of him until five bad games forced the front office to make a hard decision under the wire - and they did the right thing.
Annunen is still too untested and the Avs don’t have enough information to play fortune teller.
Despite flashes of brilliance, he struggled to provide that consistency, especially in critical games. His save percentage dropped dramatically, particularly on the penalty kill, and his overall performance against high-end teams left the Avs with more questions than answers.
It’s important to recognize that Annunen’s departure isn’t solely a reflection of his performance. Georgiev’s early-season struggles also influenced the front office’s broader evaluation of the team’s goaltending situation. The need for greater reinforcement in net ultimately sealed Annunen’s fate.
Colorado’s playoff aspirations demanded action. The acquisition of Scott Wedgewood, a dependable veteran backup, offers immediate stability while the team navigates a highly competitive Central Division. For a team built to win now, waiting for Annunen to develop further was a luxury the Avs couldn’t afford.
Scott Wedgewood, 32, brings a wealth of experience to Colorado’s roster. With 135 NHL games under his belt and a .905 career save percentage, Wedgewood is a known quantity in net. He has served as a backup for several teams, including the Dallas Stars, Arizona Coyotes, and New Jersey Devils, and even contributed during the Tampa Bay Lightning’s 2020 Stanley Cup-winning campaign as a Black Ace.
Last season with the Stars, Wedgewood stepped into a career-high 32 games, which provides the Avs security should Georgiev need some of his workload lessened to rest … or reset.
Although his early numbers with Nashville this season were underwhelming—a 3.69 goals-against average and an .878 save percentage—his reliability in high-pressure situations is what the Avalanche need.
For Colorado, Wedgewood represents more than just a stopgap; he’s a safety net for a team with championship aspirations. His ability to provide consistent performances allows the Avs to focus on other aspects of their game while ensuring more stability between the pipes.
For the Nashville Predators, this trade is as much about long-term planning as it is about addressing immediate needs. Losing elite prospect Yaroslav Askarov earlier this year left a noticeable gap in their goaltending depth.
By acquiring Annunen, the Predators add a young, developing netminder who has shown flashes of NHL readiness. Annunen’s age (24) and NHL experience—29 games with a 16-9-2 record—make him a valuable addition to a Predators organization that is looking to retool.
While he isn’t as polished as Askarov, his trajectory aligns with Nashville’s developmental timeline. His relatively low cap hit also provides financial flexibility, saving the Predators nearly $1 million over the next two seasons.
Additionally, Nashville gains a 2025 sixth-round pick, which adds depth to their draft assets. While not a headline-grabbing return, these smaller assets often prove valuable in long-term roster building.
This trade is part of a broader goaltending strategy for Colorado. The Avs surprised many at the 2024 NHL Draft by selecting the first goaltender of the draft with their 38th pick: 21-year-old Ilya Nabokov. Nabokov, who was passed over in three previous drafts, cemented his reputation with an exceptional 2023-24 season.
He won KHL Rookie of the Year honors, led Magnitogorsk to a Gagarin Cup title, and earned playoff MVP recognition with a record-breaking performance. Nabokov’s statistics—1.82 goals-against average and a .942 save percentage in the KHL playoffs—highlight his elite potential.
Nabokov has a 0.925 save percentage with the Metallurg Magnitogorsk through 27 games despite Metallurg being fourth in their division.
While he will spend at least one more season in Russia, the Avs clearly view him as a cornerstone of their future goaltending plans. With Georgiev’s contract expiring after this season, the arrival of Nabokov could coincide with a significant change to Colorado’s goaltending.
Above all, this made sense for both sides. Nashville replenishes its prospect pool and secures a young, affordable goaltender in Annunen. For Annunen, a fresh start with the Predators offers an opportunity to solidify his role and compete for starts behind a proven Juuse Saros with less pressure.
Meanwhile, Colorado gains the immediate reliability of Scott Wedgewood, a veteran capable of providing consistency as they pursue another deep playoff run. At the same time, the Avs remain positioned for the future with Nabokov’s eventual arrival.
The Annunen-Wedgewood trade represents the delicate balance between developing talent and addressing immediate needs. For the Avs, the move signals a commitment to their playoff goals without compromising their long-term vision. Their future planning is important, but it’s also crucial to bolster Nathan MacKinnon and Cale Makar’s best years with more security in net.
