Colorado Avalanche sign goaltender Justus Annunen to two-year, one-way contract extension

The AAV is yet to be announced. Annunen is currently playing on a one-year contract with a $775,000 cap hit.

The Finland native was selected by the Avalanche in the third round of the 2018 NHL Draft after building up his stock as one of the best young netminders to come out of the goalie-producing hotbed. Since coming over to North America in 2021, Annunen has gone up and down between the Avs and their American Hockey League affiliate, the Colorado Eagles.

The 24-year-old saw sporadic appearances in his first two seasons with the organization but has taken on a bigger role after Pavel Francouz was ruled out of the remainder of the 2023-24 season with a nagging groin injury. He was recalled by Colorado back in mid-January and has since made eight appearances with the Avalanche. He has a 5-2-1 record with a 2.38 goals-against average and .926 save percentage, posting his first two NHL shutouts in back-to-back starts on Feb. 29 and March 4, both against the Chicago Blackhawks.

This gives Colorado at least two goaltenders signed through next season, as he and Alexandar Georgiev have contracts that will run through the end of 2024-25.

That does leave Francouz on the outside for the time being. The right-handed catching netminder is set to be an unrestricted free agent this summer. It seems as if the Avs are waiting to see what Francouz’s future health will look like before considering whether to sign a third goaltender.

In 12 total NHL appearances, Annunen is 7-3-2 with a 2.85 GAA and .908 SV%.

The Avalanche (46-20-5) is still fighting for first in the Central Division, as they are currently tied for the top spot in the division with the Dallas Stars. Colorado is also one point back of the Vancouver Canucks and New York Rangers for the best record in the NHL.