Predators sign Finnish goalie Juuse Saros

Finland’s goalkeeper Juuse Saros looks at an approaching the puck during the Hockey World Championships Group B match against Slovakia in Ostrava, Czech Republic, Saturday, May 9, 2015. (Sergei Grits/AP)

NASHVILLE – The Nashville Predators have signed goaltender Juuse Saros to a three-year, entry-level contract with the Finland native expected to play in North America next season.


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The Predators announced the deal Tuesday.

Saros, 20, was the 99th selection in the 2013 draft by Nashville. He ranked in the top five of HPK’s 60 Finnish Elite League this season with six shutouts, minutes played and save percentage at .929 and a 2.14 goals-against average. He was the Finnish Elite League’s rookie of the year in 2013-14.

The 5-foot-11 goalie played for Finland at the world championship and world junior championships the past two seasons. Saros backed up Predators goalie Pekka Rinne at the 2015 world championship, stopping 22 shots in a shutout of Slovakia.

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