Predators acquire Justus Annunen from Avalanche in goalie swap

In a significant move in the NHL, Colorado and Nashville made a trade involving their backup goaltenders on Saturday, November 30, 2024. The Nashville Predators received Justus Annunen from the Colorado Avalanche while sending Scott Wedgewood to Colorado, plus a sixth-round pick in the 2025 NHL Draft. This deal reflects each team's strategy to bolster their goaltending lineup as they advance through the season. Justus Annunen, a 24-year-old goalie, will now serve as the backup to Juuse Saros in Nashville. Annunen's performance this season has shown promise, with a record of 6-4 and a 3.23 goals-against average, indicating his potential to be a solid contributor. Conversely, Scott Wedgewood, who is 32 years old and previously has played with the Predators, went 1-2-1 with a 3.69 goals-against average this season. His arrival in Colorado presents an opportunity to compete with Alexandar Georgiev for playing time. Both teams appear to be making strategic adjustments in anticipation of the remainder of the NHL season, focusing on better performances from their goaltending units to increase their chances of success as they move forward. The trade could have significant implications on how both teams perform in the coming weeks, making them a story to watch in the unfolding season.