The Nashville Predators announced today that they have signed goaltender Justus Annunen to a two-year contract extension worth $2.5 million, carrying an average annual value (AAV) of $1.25 million. The deal will keep the 25-year-old Finnish netminder in Smashville through the 2027-28 season.
General Manager Barry Trotz expressed confidence in the move, securing stability behind star goaltender Juuse Saros. “Justus has shown flashes of his potential since joining us, and we’re excited to continue his development here in Nashville,” Trotz said in the team’s official release.
Annunen was originally acquired by the Predators in a trade with the Colorado Avalanche on November 30, 2024, along with a 2025 sixth-round draft pick, in exchange for veteran backup Scott Wedgewood. The trade came as Nashville sought a younger, higher-upside option to complement Saros, especially after moving top prospect Yaroslav Askarov earlier in the year.
Since arriving in Nashville, Annunen has served primarily as the backup, appearing in 12 games (nine starts) during the 2025-26 season. He holds a 3-5-1 record with a 3.29 goals-against average (GAA) and .875 save percentage. Despite the modest numbers, recent performances have been encouraging: Annunen is 2-1-0 in his last three starts, posting a .932 save percentage, including a standout 37-save effort against his former team, the Avalanche, on December 13.
Over his NHL career, spanning parts of seasons with both Colorado and Nashville, Annunen has a 28-25-4 record, two shutouts, and has appeared in 64 games. Drafted by the Avalanche in the third round (64th overall) of the 2018 NHL Draft, the 6-foot-4, 210-pound goaltender has long been praised for his size and athleticism.
Interestingly, Annunen hails from Kempele, Finland—the same hometown as Predators legend Pekka Rinne. Both he and Saros share the nickname “Juice,” adding a fun dynamic to Nashville’s Finnish-heavy goalie room.
This extension ensures continuity in the Predators’ crease, where Saros remains the undisputed No. 1. With Annunen locked in at a cap-friendly rate, Nashville avoids potential restricted free agency negotiations this offseason and positions itself well for the future.
