Central Division rivals Colorado and Nashville swapped backup goaltenders on Saturday, a trade that shows where both franchises currently feel.

By acquiring 24-year-old Justus Annunen and a sixth-round pick next June from the Avalanche in exchange for veteran Scott Wedgewood, the Predators, 7-12-5, have one eye on getting through this season. Internally, there is hope that the Predators’ goaltending department, led by Mitch Korn, can unlock some of Annunen’s potential. The fact that Annunen is eight years younger than Wedgewood made this move attractive given the disappointing season Nashville is having.

Avalanche is all about the here and now. The hope is that the 32-year-old veteran will help Wedgewood stabilize things while starting goaltender Alexandar Georgiev finds his game. The Avs are 13-11-0 and are 30th in the NHL in goals conceded per game entering Saturday’s game.

Wedgewood played 32 games for the Dallas Stars last season, giving the team solid backup behind No. 1 Jake Oettinger. On July 1, he signed a two-year, $3 million contract with Nashville as a UFA.

Wedgewood went 1-2-1 with a .878 save percentage for the Preds this season.

Annunen, who was drafted 64th overall by the Avs in 2018, went 6-4-0 with an .872 SP for Colorado this season.

The Preds also traded Philip Tomasino to the Penguins earlier last week, telling the clubs they remain open to business – particularly trading younger players.

(Photo: Michael Martin / NHLI)