Annunen Excited to Join Preds, Learn from Saros in Net
Justus Annunen is ready for a fresh start. Acquired by the Nashville Predators in a trade from Colorado, the Finnish goaltender is stepping into an exciting but unique situation. His name closely resembles “Juice,” a nickname already claimed by the Predators’ starting goaltender, Juuse Saros—another native of Finland.
In most teams, this wouldn’t be an issue. But in Nashville, with two “Juices” in the net, something has to give.
New Beginnings, New Nicknames
Annunen is taking it all in stride. “I think everyone will figure it out soon enough,” he said with a smile on Monday.
Saros also laughed about the situation, suggesting temporary nicknames during Tuesday’s practice. “For now, he’s ‘Big Juice,’ and I’m ‘Little Juice.’ But we’ll see if that changes.”
At 24, Annunen stands taller but has far less NHL experience than the 29-year-old Saros, who has played in over 342 NHL games. Regardless of what Annunen ends up being called, one thing is clear: the predators value his potential.
High Expectations from the Preds
“He’s a young goaltender with the potential to become even better,” said Predators head coach Andrew Brunette. “We’ll get him working with Ben Vanderklok and Mitch Korn. From what we’ve seen, he’s a big, hardworking guy—typical Finnish goaltender traits. There’s room for him to grow.”
Selected in the third round of the 2018 NHL Draft by Colorado, Annunen has already shown promise. He posted a 6-4-0 record this season with the Avalanche and set a personal best last year with eight wins and two shutouts.
Learning from the Best
Annunen, hailing from the same Finnish town as legendary Preds goalie Pekka Rinne, is eager to learn from Saros. “This is a great opportunity to learn from one of the best goalies in the league,” Annunen said. “I’ve heard great things about the goalie coaches here. Watching and learning from Juuse will be invaluable.”
Saros, who began his career under Rinne’s mentorship, now finds himself in the veteran role. For the first time, he’s the clear senior among the Predators’ goalies.
Despite this new dynamic, Saros isn’t changing his approach. “Juice will always be Juice,” Brunette said. “He respects the game, his teammates, and fellow goalies. That won’t change, whether he’s mentoring a rookie or playing alongside a veteran.”
Adjusting to NHL Life
Annunen understands that adapting to NHL life is as much about off-ice adjustments as it is about performance. “I’m still learning what it feels like to play in the NHL,” he admitted. “I haven’t had many games, but my focus is on improving my speed and making the most of my size.”
Vanderklok, the Predators’ goaltending coach, emphasizes agility. “Ben’s philosophy is to help goalies become as quick as possible, which aligns with what Juuse does,” Annunen explained. “That’s the level I want to reach.”
A Big Debut Looming
With Nashville’s upcoming three-game road trip to eastern Canada, Annunen could soon make his Predators debut. Until then, he’s focused on fitting in with his new team and absorbing everything he can from Saros and the coaching staff.
Annunen’s positive first impression hasn’t gone unnoticed. Saros shared, “He seems like a great guy. I even got a message from [former Preds forward Miikka] Salomaki, who trained with him this summer. It’s tough to lose [Scott Wedgewood], but this feels like a good change.”
As Annunen adjusts to life in Nashville, he’s determined to make the most of this opportunity. Whether he’s known as “Big Juice” or something else, his focus remains on growth and contributing to the Predators’ success.
“They brought me here for a reason,” Annunen said. “I’ll give my best every day.”
For the Predators, that work ethic, coupled with his potential, could make Annunen a crucial part of their future in the net.
