The Colorado Avalanche must be really happy with what they’ve seen from Justus Annunen over the last month and a half.
According to Kevin Weekes, the Avalanche are locking down the 24 year old goaltender for two more years at a cap hit of around $833,000. The insider reports it will be a one-way deal, meaning that if Annunen was to be sent to the Colorado Eagles at any point, he would still make his NHL salary. Starting next season, Annunen will require waivers in order to be sent to the AHL.
The young goaltender is currently making $775,000, but on a two-way deal that pays him $225,000 in the AHL.
The Avalanche haven’t confirmed the contract, but Weekes is usually a reliable source of information, especially when it comes to goaltenders. If/when the organization does confirm, we will update this post.
A two-year deal for Annunen at such a low cap hit is really a zero-risk move by Colorado. If it doesn’t work out, you can easily move on from him or send him to the AHL. On the flip side, if Annunen develops into a full-time backup goaltender or perhaps even more, Colorado is getting tremendous value for what they’d be paying him.
A two year extension means that Annunen will still be a restricted free agent at the end of the deal, so Colorado will continue to control his rights. Starting goaltender Alexandar Georgiev has one year remaining on his contract after this season.
Annunen is set to start on Tuesday night against the Montreal Canadiens, and since coming up after the NHL Trade Deadline, he’s provided the Avalanche with solid goaltending. In eight games played this season, he has a record of 5-2-1. With a 2.38 goals against average and a .926 save percentage, it’s hard to ask for much more than what he’s given them. He hasn’t had to play against any elite teams, but you can’t fault him for that. It’s not like he has any say in who he gets to start against.
Colorado Hockey Now will await confirmation from the organization on the report, and will update the article as needed.
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