Heading into the 2024-25 season, the Colorado Avalanche have no questions in net. The starter will be Alexandar Georgiev, who has undoubtedly one of the best-valued contracts on the team. Past this season, however, there are doubts about what the future between the pipes will be for the Avalanche.
Related: Georgiev’s Avalanche Future in Doubt After 2024-25
Georgiev will be due a hefty raise on his current deal and the Avalanche already have cap constrictions to deal with. Finding good value between the pipes may become priority going into the 2025-26 season. That is where backup Justus Annunen comes into the equation.
The 2024-25 Season
Anyone looking to get a glimpse into the future may be disappointed by the coming season. Annunen will be the backup and Georgiev is set to become the workhorse once again. He has started 62 games in each of the past two seasons, and there are no indications anything will change for the 2024-25 season.
Annunen started just 14 games in 2023-24, an admittedly small sample size. Even still, he posted an 8-4-1 record, had a .921 save percentage (SV%), and sported a strong 2.25 goals against average (GAA.) The Avalanche hope those are signs of progression as they face tough decisions in the near future.
Getting a longer glimpse of Annunen may see him start a few more games, but the Avalanche are also attempting to contend. Going away from their proven starter for an extended period could be risky, particularly in a tough Central Division featuring the Dallas Stars and Winnipeg Jets.
The Case for Annunen
The Avalanche will have a critical decision to make in 2025 when they choose between Annunen and Georgiev. Though neither is exactly a franchise goaltender, it is hard to walk away from a proven regular-season commodity like Georgiev. Still, there are a few factors on the side of going with Annunen for the short term.
Cost Control
The Avalanche are already facing a multitude of tough decisions without factoring in a new deal for superstar winger Mikko Rantanen. Finding value in any part of the roster will be crucial for the front office, especially in an effort to extend the contention window. Annunen fits that bill.
Annunen will make just $837,000 each of the next two seasons. It would be hard to find a better value than that for a starting goaltender. If he plays well over the next two campaigns, then…
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