Justus Annunen’s string of competent goaltending helped steady the Colorado Avalanche during a tumultuous start to this season, and it will likely help him stave off a challenge for his place on the NHL roster.
But what if we think a little bigger for the large Finnish goaltender? Could Annunen’s strong work at the end of last season, plus a steady run of solid starts this year, push him into the conversation for Finland’s third-string goaltender at the forthcoming 2025 4 Nations Face-Off or the 2026 Winter Olympics?
“I think he’s played really well,” Finnish Avs star Mikko Rantanen said. “He’s showed that he can play in the NHL at a high level. I don’t know, I think (Juuse) Saros is a clear No. 1 goalie, but there’s two other spots, and I’m not sure who’s going to be those two.
“I think for sure, the management has to discuss a little bit about Justus and what he’s done, how calm he looks and his numbers when he starts the games. I think they’re pretty good. I think he’s played really good and (is) for sure in the discussion.”
Let’s be clear — Annunen making the 4 Nations roster is a long shot. The final rosters are due less than a month from now. But the Olympics in Italy a year later could be a reasonable goal, with some good fortune and another step in his development along the way.
It wasn’t that long ago that Finland was the greatest developer of NHL goalies on the other side of the Atlantic Ocean. Russia has taken control of that title in recent years, and there aren’t as many high-end Finnish options for international events as there used to be.
Saros, despite a wobbly start for the Nashville Predators, is the country’s clear No. 1 guy. Assuming good health, he’ll play every meaningful minute at the 4 Nations tournament for Finland.
Buffalo’s Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen was the obvious choice as the No. 2 goalie before this season began, and should probably feel safe to make the 4 Nations roster. The third spot, assuming good health for Saros and UPL, is where the intrigue was at the start of this year.
The most likely answer right now is Vancouver’s Kevin Lankinen. He’s off to a great start filling in for Thatcher Demko with the Canucks — 7-0-2 with a .923 save percentage. Lankinen was also the starting goalie for a Finland team that surprisingly won the world championships in 2019. That was the last time any of the current options for Finland played for the country in a men’s international event.
But, Finland could also use the third spot to bring a younger goalie to one of these two tournaments, which could crack the door open for Annunen or Pittsburgh’s Joel Blomqvist.
“I don’t really look at the stats,” Annunen said. “I know (the 4 Nations tournament) is coming. I know there are goalies who have played a lot more in the NHL than me.”
Beyond Saros, UPL and Lankinen, there’s also Annunen’s current teammate, Kaapo Kahkonen, Boston’s Joonas Korpisalo and Detroit’s Ville Husso on NHL rosters with more experience at this level. But, none of the Finnish goalies have a better save percentage than Annunen’s .918 over the past two seasons combined.
Annunen was probably eighth out those eight Finnish goalies in name recognition before the start of last season, though he did start for his country at both the U-18 and U-20 world championships. It’s been a long, slow build for Annunen to become an NHL goalie, but getting to start six times in eight games for the Avs was a big step for him.
Avs star Nathan MacKinnon said Annunen’s play helped the Avalanche “settle down” after an 0-4 start to this season. Given that the Avs are getting closer to returning a few forwards, they will likely stop carrying three goalies soon. Annunen has made his case to not be the odd man out.
“You can get more confidence with the more you play. I think it’s huge,” Annunen said. “It’s been great to more play games and experience that.
“It feels good.”
There’s more development to go for the 24-year-old. That includes proving he can play well against some of the best teams in the NHL. Annunen has made six starts this season, but only one — against the struggling Predators — was against a team that made the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs.
Only two of his 12 starts a year ago were against forthcoming playoff teams, a loss to Tampa Bay and a win in Game 82 against a depleted Edmonton squad.
“I don’t think there’s any easy games in this league,” Annunen said. “Every team has a lot of great players, but it is different against the top, top teams. It’s a huge challenge.”
He might not have time to build enough of a resume for the 4 Nations tournament, but the Olympics in a year are a different deal. Sure, the Finns could bring one of the goalies playing in Europe to that event, but there’s more time for Annunen to keep stacking NHL results.
No one knows who will be in net for the Avalanche a week from now, let alone next season, but he’s currently the only one under contract with the club. It might still be a long shot, but it’s another goal to pursue for Annunen.
“It would be awesome to be there,” he said. “It would be a huge honor to represent Finland and an awesome experience to play against the best and see how the best practice and prepare every day. But it’s still a long way from now. I just have to keep focusing on these moments here.”
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