Avalanche deal Justus Annunen for Scott Wedgewood
John A. Babiak
Another goaltender joins the rotation. The juice is cut loose Colorado.
The Colorado Avalanche have made yet another move in net. This time, it was announced Saturday morning that Justus Annunen was traded with a 2025 sixth-round pick to the Nashville Predators. In exchange, the Avs received veteran backup Scott Wedgewood.
We have traded Justus Annunen and a 2025 draft pick to the Nashville Predators in exchange for Scott Wedgewood. pic.twitter.com/UXXYvAynB6— Colorado Avalanche (@Avalanche) November 30, 2024
Annunen had struggled with the Avalanche to start the year, as has every netminder in the crease so far this season. His season totals up to this point in 11 games were six wins, a 3.23 goals against average, and a .872 save percentage.
He did have his moments, especially when Alexandar Georgiev struggled to start the year. But his previous two appearances weren’t great, as he was pulled most recently in an 8-2 drubbing against the Tampa Bay Lightning.
Here comes Guentzel pic.twitter.com/ZjVz5H8sVn— Tampa Bay Lightning (@TBLightning) November 26, 2024
Annunen spent several years in the Avalanche’s farm system and only played 29 games with the big club in the end. He will join Juuse Saros in Nashville, and another draft pick the Avs will lose in this trade will go into the Predators’ hands as well.
Meanwhile, yet another goaltender joins the fray of four different goaltenders who have suited up for Colorado this season. Wedgewood has played in five games this season, tallying one win, a 3.69 goals-against average, and a .878 save percentage.
Scott Wedgewood's 44 saves in his Dallas Stars debut steals a win and 2 points for his new team pic.twitter.com/vSRhIh48XO— ESPN (@espn) March 25, 2022
Luckily, his overall career stats are much better. In 135 career games, he has 49 wins, six shutouts, a 3.01 goals-against average, and a save percentage of .901. Wedgewood has spent time with several teams, including the New Jersey Devils, Arizona Coyotes, Dallas Stars, Nashville Predators, and now the Avalanche.
Wedgewood will bring another look to the rotation in the crease. He is not as big as Annunen is at only 6-foot-2, while also bringing in a more veteran presence. Wedgewood is more of a reliable backup than a proven starter, but might get more game time in Colorado should Georgiev struggle down the line once again. Nonetheless, it gives the Avs another option in net they can perhaps trust more than before with a little less cap room as well.
Annunen is under contract for this season and next at $837,500. Wedgewood has the same term at $1.5 million.The #Avs are adding $662,500 in cap with the move— Aarif Deen (@runwriteAarif) November 30, 2024
With the Avs playing in Dallas last night and Nashville hosting the Tampa Bay Lightning yesterday, it is unknown if Wedgewood will be in town in time tonight to suit up against the Edmonton Oilers. If he doesn’t make it to town tonight, expect him to join the team on their five-game road trip out East starting Tuesday night against the Buffalo Sabres.
What do you think of the newest Avalanche goaltender move? Let us know in the comments below!
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