November 10th 2024.
Justus Annunen has been a crucial part of the Colorado Avalanche's success this season, providing reliable goaltending during a tumultuous start. And his consistent performance could also secure his spot on the NHL roster, warding off any competition from other talented goalies.
But let's think bigger for a moment - could Annunen's impressive play at the end of last season and his solid starts this year potentially earn him a spot as Finland's third-string goaltender at the upcoming 2025 4 Nations Face-Off or the 2026 Winter Olympics? It's certainly a possibility that's worth considering.
Finnish Avs star Mikko Rantanen has nothing but praise for Annunen, saying, "I think he's played really well. He's proven himself as a top performer in the NHL. While Saros is clearly the number one goalie, there are still two more spots to fill and it's uncertain who will claim them."
Annunen's chances of making the 4 Nations roster may be slim, considering the final rosters are due in less than a month. However, the Winter Olympics in Italy a year later may be a more attainable goal, with a bit of luck and continued improvement in his development.
Not too long ago, Finland was known for producing some of the best NHL goalies in Europe. But in recent years, Russia has taken over that title and there are fewer standout Finnish options for international events.
Saros, despite a shaky start with the Nashville Predators, is undoubtedly Finland's top goalie and will likely play every important minute at the 4 Nations tournament. Buffalo's Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen was the expected choice as the number two goalie before the season began and should feel secure in his spot on the roster. The real competition lies in the third spot, assuming Saros and Luukkonen remain healthy.
Currently, Vancouver's Kevin Lankinen seems to be the most likely candidate for the third spot. He's off to a fantastic start filling in for Thatcher Demko with the Canucks, boasting a 7-0-2 record and a .923 save percentage. Lankinen was also the starting goalie for Finland when they surprisingly won the World Championships in 2019, the last time any of the current Finnish goalies played in a major men's international event.
However, Finland may also choose to bring a younger goalie to one of the upcoming tournaments, opening the door for players like Annunen or Pittsburgh's Joel Blomqvist.
When asked about his chances, Annunen humbly replied, "I don't really pay attention to the stats. I know there are other talented goalies who have played more NHL games than me."
After Saros, Luukkonen, and Lankinen, there are also Annunen's current teammate Kaapo Kahkonen, Boston's Joonas Korpisalo, and Detroit's Ville Husso, who all have more experience at the NHL level. However, none of them have a better save percentage than Annunen's .918 over the past two seasons combined.
Before last season, Annunen was not well known, even among the eight Finnish goalies. However, he did start for his country at both the U-18 and U-20 World Championships. It has been a gradual process for Annunen to establish himself as an NHL goalie, but starting six out of eight games for the Avs was a significant step in the right direction.
Nathan MacKinnon, the Avs' star player, believes Annunen's play helped the team settle down after an 0-4 start this season. And with a few forwards returning from injury, it's likely that the Avs will soon stop carrying three goalies, making Annunen's case even stronger.
Annunen acknowledges that playing more games only increases his confidence, saying, "It's been great to play more games and gain that experience. It feels good."
There's still a lot of room for development for the 24-year-old, including proving himself against the NHL's top teams. Out of his six starts this season, only one was against a team that made the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs, the struggling Nashville Predators. Similarly, out of his 12 starts last season, only two were against upcoming playoff teams, a loss to Tampa Bay and a win against a weakened Edmonton team.
"I don't think there are any easy games in this league," Annunen admits. "Every team has incredible players, but it's a whole different level when playing against the best of the best. It's a huge challenge."
It may be challenging for Annunen to earn a spot on the 4 Nations roster, but there's still a year until the Winter Olympics, and anything can happen. The Finns could choose to bring one of the goalies playing in Europe, but Annunen has more time to continue proving himself in the NHL.
No one knows what the future holds, and it's uncertain who will be in net for the Avalanche in the coming seasons. But as the only goalie currently under contract with the club, Annunen has a chance to pursue another goal - representing Finland in the Olympics.
"It would be amazing to be there," Annunen says with excitement. "It would be a tremendous honor to represent Finland and a fantastic opportunity to compete against the best and learn from them. But it's still a long way off, and for now, I'm just focused on the present."
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