NHL insider Elliotte Friedman caused a bit of a stir among Nashville Predators fans on his podcast this week when he mentioned their two talented goalies possibly garnering interest around the league.
Elliotte Friedman: Someone...pointed out to me...Nashville has a couple of really good goalies...that teams that have 2 of them are gonna get calls; especially now that Connor Hellebuyck is off the board...if you have 2...goalies, you're gonna get calls - 32 Thoughts (11/2)
— NHL Rumour Report (@NHLRumourReport) November 3, 2026
After league MVP Connor Hellebuyck finally found a new home in New Jersey, teams around the league eyeing their crease will have to pivot. With the number one target for most teams off the board, Friedman points out that many teams with 2 talented goalies will likely receive some calls in the coming weeks.
A team he specifically mentions in detail, the Predators, certainly have two talented goalies on their roster. One of them, as a matter of fact, General Manager Chris MacFarland already has experience in trading.
In November 2024, Justus Annunen was traded from the Colorado Avalanche to the Predators by Macfarland while still serving a role for the Avs. That he lost faith in Annunen enough to move him in the past could hint at his motives now as well with the Preds.
Justus Annunen is in year one of a two-year deal worth $1.25 million AAV and has struggled a bit this season. In only 3 starts, he has a 3.89 goals-against average and an .846 save percentage. With -2.1 goals saved above expected, there are definitely some issues in his recent play.
Annunen is still young at 26 years of age, with an extremely digestible cap hit. After a gutsy performance in which he stopped four straight Tampa Bay Lightning shooters in a shootout win, he showed that promise and poise under pressure is still there. Is it enough to get a team interested in striking a deal?
Juuse Saros is a curious case when it comes to whether or not to move him right now. No doubt, if teams are asking about goalies, they'll ask about Saros if he is known to be available. Saros is currently in year two of eight on a long-term extension worth $7.74 million AAV and putting up good but not great numbers.
Saros has gotten Vezina votes in past seasons. However, his play has been slightly below that level in recent years. Still, he is having a decent start to the season with 10 starts, a 2.94 GAA, and a modest .902 save percentage. Stopping 2.7 goals above expected behind a defense that has been quite leaky at times, he is covering up a few mistakes for the team on a nightly basis.
This is not AI https://t.co/ugr9tAwntu pic.twitter.com/A3xkpFo2e1
— Jesse Granger (@JesseGranger_) October 7, 2026
MacFarland likely won't move a piece like Saros until the team is out of the playoff picture, and they are still hanging around a wildcard spot at this moment. With teams calling, however, what kind of offer would it take to shake one of the Preds' goalies free or force his hand?
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