4. Justus Annunen- The replacement to Yaroslav Askarov
Who saw a backup goalie swap between two division opponents happening this early in the season. The Predators quickly moved on from Scott Wedgewood by trading him to the goalie desperate Colorado Avalanche, and in return got younger with Justus Annunen as Juuse Saros' backup.
We haven't had a lot to get optimistic about this season, but it at least appears from the early returns that Annunen will be the Plan B to the original plan of Yaroslav Askarov. Askarov was traded to the San Jose Sharks just before the season started. To refresh your memory, Nashville got goalie prospect Magnus Chrona, forward prospect David Edstrom and a 2025 first-round draft pick.
This can end up being a unexpected boss move by Trotz to get a first-round pick and some prospects for Askarov, while also quickly getting another young backup in Annunen.
Annunen only has two starts for his Nashville career, but they have been gems. He has 62 saves on 65 total shots faced for a sizzling .954 save percentage. You really have to like the confidence he has shown in the crease and his huge physical frame at 6'4" to cover a lot of the net. He gets big and turns into a brick wall.
Before Annunen was traded for, the backup goalie spot for Nashville was very bleak. No offense to Wedgewood, but he wasn't looking like a long-term answer to having a quality backup to Saros. Nashville looks like they have it now in Annunen.
There's a lot of hockey left this season. We're not even at the halfway point yet, and while the Predators probably aren't making the playoffs, there's still a lot to play for to build some positive momentum for 2025 and beyond. Trotz needs to keep searching for ways to get younger and faster.