10:34 a.m.: Trotz issued a statement on Askarov’s reported request (via John Glennon of the Nashville Post):
We are aware of the report today and our expectation is for the player to report to training camp and compete for a job in September.
8:21 a.m.: Predators goaltender Yaroslav Askarov has requested a trade, according to Kevin Weekes of ESPN. As per Weekes, Askarov has also informed the team that he won’t report to their AHL affiliate, the Milwaukee Admirals, if he remains with the team at the end of training camp and is sent to the minors.
Askarov has been a sought-after trade candidate for the past few seasons as a top-10 prospect at his position without a clear path to a starting role in Nashville. They’ve already used him as trade bait twice, putting him in play to acquire a top-five pick at the 2023 and 2024 drafts. Askarov is one year away from restricted free agency and is entering the final season of his entry-level contract at a $925K cap hit. He remains waiver-exempt for this season and next.
The 22-year-old has been in North America for two seasons, during which he’s put together a pair of All-Star campaigns for the Admirals. He made over 40 appearances each year, a heavy workload for the minor leagues, and posted a combined 2.55 GAA, .911 SV%, nine shutouts, and a 56-29-6 record in 92 games.
After being picked 11th overall by the Predators in 2020, Askarov has only made two NHL starts and one relief appearance since coming over from his native Russia. He had a tough showing in his debut in 2022-23 but rebounded with solid numbers in limited action last year, totaling a .914 SV% across 140 minutes of play across the two campaigns.
But Askarov’s path to the starter’s crease in Nashville evaporated when the Preds signed Juuse Saros to an eight-year, $61.92MM extension on July 1. There was still a chance he’d crack the team out of camp for the first time in 2024-25 as Saros’ backup, but that also went away after Nashville inked veteran Scott Wedgewood to a two-year deal a few hours later.
While the trade request is a significant development, it’s not surprising. Askarov’s agent, Gold Star Hockey’s Dan Milstein, said in an interview last month that he was “working with the club on different options” regarding his future and that Askarov feels he’s established himself as an NHL-ready talent. The Preds’ moves this offseason also firmly state general manager Barry Trotz’s intentions to exit rebuild mode, signing three of the top names on the UFA market in Jonathan Marchessault, Brady Skjei and Steven Stamkos.
When Nashville shopped Askarov in the past, the Canadiens consistently came up as his most likely destination. But reporting indicated it was Nashville putting Askarov in play to land the No. 5 pick both times, not the Habs displaying interest in prying him away. Montreal has Sam Montembeault and Cayden Primeau signed to one-way contracts this season, so if Askarov ends up in Montreal, he may have to wait for a roster spot until Primeau reaches restricted free agency next summer unless the Habs make a corresponding trade.
Even with his draft pedigree and strong development track so far, Askarov’s limited NHL action makes it unlikely that any team will take a chance on him as their starter as soon as this fall. Thus, look for teams with expandability and uncertainty at the backup position to insert themselves into trade talks. The Lightning, a frequent trade partner for Nashville in recent years, would likely want an upgrade on Jonas Johansson and his career .880 SV%, far below the league average. Whether they have the assets to acquire him is entirely different. At the draft, Trotz preferred to land an established NHLer or a similarly touted prospect in return, but that was before his free-agent spending spree.
But Askarov, who’s still five years from being eligible for unrestricted free agency, has little say in where he ends up without trade protection. However, given his six-figure AAV, there likely won’t be any trades extinguished by a lack of cap space on behalf of the acquiring club.
Askarov for Vanecek. :)
This would have been a great guy for the Hawks to get before LAST season. The Hawks Goalie situation is much improved over last year as there is a stable plan in place. Soderblom was a train wreck and seems doomed to be a B/U in Rockford this year, And he might not be good enough to do that. With Mrazek and Broissert signed for the next 2 years and Commesso available as a 3rd, Gajan is starting college so he’s on his way. The Hawks obviously can get him but I’m not sure he’d be in a better position for this year. Davidson has spread things out nicely. But the guy seems he needs a chance, But the Saros extension has him boxed in even worse.
Optimistic Devils fan here thinking Dawson Mercer one-for-one could be great for both teams
Maybe, But I think the price for an NHL ready Goalie will be pretty high. I think it’s gonna take a player and picks to get it done. I think they’ll have to dig a little deeper but NJ should be all over this guy.
They wont include Mercer in any trade if they didnt for Markstrom they surely wont for Askarov, As great as this might be for us it probably wont happen since we have Markstrom for 2 years,Allen as the backup for at least this year. Daws waiting in the wings (unless he’s included in the trade) so if he doesnt wanna go to the AHL with Nashville why would he wait 2 years to get his shot with us?
It would probably cost Silayev to get him 1/1. The bad thing is he wants to be in the NHL now so he would be pissed about Markstrom being 1G in the crease the next few years.
Id be okay with that actually.
Unfortunately Brunette is enamored with players like Mercer so i could see Trotz insisting he be included. Id much rather add picks and prospects. But like i said its already a pipe dream since we are stuck with Markstrom for the next 2 years. Askarov doesnt sound like hes willing to wait
Haha it’s funny, I just asked a question to the PHR mailbag about Askarov to Tampa about 2 weeks ago. Of course, the bozo writer that answered the question in the PHR mailbag pretty much blew off the possibility. Though what that writer failed to realize is there has been articles over the summer suggesting Tampa should go after Askarov.
Askarov would gain much needed experience in the NHL as a backup in Tampa for a few years let alone gets to play behind (& learn from) quite arguably the best goalie of his generation in Andrei Vasilevskiy. Tampa wants to cut back on Vasey playing so many games & bringing in Askarov would help in doing so as Askarov could play anywhere between 25-30 games for Tampa this season. Furthermore, Askarov & Vasilevskiy are both Russian, so they could have a mutual understanding & respect coming from similar backgrounds. Vasilevskiy played behind the great Ben Bishop in Tampa for a few years & it paid off greatly for Vasilevskiy.
Like the article stated Tampa & Nashville do have a long & solid history of being trade partners. I wouldn’t cut out the possibility but only time will tell on this matter.
Might be an idea. That is if Tampa Bay didn’t trade every draft pick they’ve had for the past and future. What exactly are you going to give the Preds where they wouldn’t laugh you off the face of the Earth? Quite sure the “Bozo” Writers here make way more sense than you. Plus Askarov wants to PLAY. Not back up anybody. Nobody wants to be Vasilevski’s B/U. It’s boring.
Vaz is only 30 and a future HOF’er. Askarov is too impatient to play in the AHL this year, but he’ll sit as a backup for the next 6 to 8 years?
Thinking no.
Good in house future goalie. With the Stamkos situation HOF or not cap space is more important long term. But acquisition capital the Lightning seems to be lacking.
They just made a offseason trade.
Calling someone a bozo for having a reasonable take is certainly a choice
If there have already been articles reporting on it, why did you bother asking it as a mailbag question?
Really endearing yourself to the PHR team, eh?
Askarov could go to Tampa, but one of Tampa’s top young players will have to go back in return. If Tampa keeps their top 3 youngsters off the table, no deal is getting done
Is Askarov worth more or less than Tanner Jeannot?
If I was Nashville, I’d want to trade with Tampa Bay again.
What the hell are you talking about?!? Why don’t you calm yourself there keyboard warrior before you get your panties in a bunch. Seriously, Tampa has plenty of draft picks. They have two 2nd round picks in 2025, 1st & 2nd round pick in 2026, 1st & 2nd round pick in 2027. They have draft capital now.
I didn’t say writers, I said writer as in non-plural genius. Also, just because they’re a writer for some website doesn’t mean they’re always right (far from it in more ways than one).
Askarov may want to play but he’s not going to get a starting gig at this point in time until he proves himself in the NHL in some capacity.
Who said he’ll sit for 6 to 8 years?…There is some questions about Vasey’s health going into this season if he can bounce back let alone how much of a workload he can handle moving forward. Getting someone like Askarov would definitely take some workload off of Vasey as TB could save him more for the playoffs.
Are you like 12 years old? If not, you have issues.
Draft picks isn’t an issue though prospects are a bit more slim for TB. I’m not saying a deal will happen but anything is possible especially with the history between TB & Nashville in making deals with each other.
Maybe “bozo” was a tad harsh but I didn’t particular care how it was replied in the mailbag especially when your just asking a question but get basically blown off like it was a waste of time & yet this news comes out & it does show that the writer was a bit curt at the very least.
WTF are you talking about?!? Your comment is blatantly dense & makes no sense. How am I “12 years old” because I’ve put into question a writer’s remark lol. Are you 12 because your bizarre & illogical remark makes one wonder? I guess you think you’re one of those “internet tough guys” or whatever. You seem to be the one with issues.
I was only asking the PHR in maybe seeing if they have anymore insight or what they thought of the possibility but it was a moot point.
It was only one writer not the entire staff. Also I’m sure they’ve had far worse remarks made against them. If they’re that sensitive, they shouldn’t be in journalism then or get thicker skin.
I don’t know if Tampa would just want to do draft picks or do a mix with a few picks & a prospect. Hard to say. It depends on what Nashville would ask for & what Tampa would be willing to deal out. It’s anyone’s guess.
The Jeannot trade was overpriced but that happens in the trade deadline as it’s well known teams pay more during the trade deadline. Jeannot unfortunately just never really found his game in Tampa to develop the kind of season he had his rookie year.
Nashville & Tampa did a fair trade for Ryan McDonagh this offseason.
Not sure which of your 7 posts in a row to answer because I’ll just say I didn’t bother to read any of them. All I will say is The ” Bozo” Who wrote the mailbag liked my post so there’s that. And before you go off again maybe you should put the pipe down and lay off the grains for awhile. And 2nd round 2027 draft picks are mostly coveted in today’s NHL. Yeah.
The fundamental problem with your theory is that no matter what price Tampa thinks backup Askarov is worth, they should be outbid by somebody who wants to start him.
20-25 games backing up Vasilevsky is worth far less than 55+ games starting someplace else.
Edmonton needs to go for him
Goalies don’t fetch top half 1st round picks. 2nds & prospects. I would want Savoie for him if he’s going to the Oilers. If not Preds need to ship him off out East.
This feels like a situation where the Predators may have overplayed their hand. Now you’ve got a disgruntled prospect – a strong prospect, but not one without some warts. I’d love for a trade to fetch a top 5 picj, but the situation feels more like top 12 honestly, or whatever prospect or NHL-ready player is equivalent in value. That may be the Predators’ saving grace: the broad range of options they might take in return, based on their current roster construction and prospect pool.
But goalies just never seem to fetch what you’d hope, and nothing about this situation makes me think they’ll be able to maximize the return on Askarov.
Would make a lot of sense for the Canadians no?
Buffalo has the assets but not the stomach; LA could use a long-term solution in net but I don’t know if a Turcotte pitch would move the needle. Colorado has little to offer, being so top heavy and prospect bare. How about Toronto – Marner for Asky, Novak & Fabbro?
That Toronto offer is interesting but Nash is already thin down the middle if Stammer wants to play on the wing
Why would Buffalo be involved? Unless they swap Levi for him. UPL just signed a 5 year extension. GMKA likes Levi so I don’t see a fit with Buffalo.
Toronto already has Woll and Stolarz. Doesn’t make much sense to trade Woll as he’s on a great contract and wouldn’t look good trading a guy you just signed in FA a month ago
Nashville isn’t trading Novak with their lack of center depth
Cmon Stevie.
Cossa for Askarov straight up
Don’t think the Preds would do that. I don’t think they’re looking for a goalie in return. It is more likely that they want to add to their center depth
TBF he should be their backup goalie already. He’s one of the 64 best goalies out there IMO.
Chandler Stephenson for Askarov.
Trading or waiving Wedgewood seems the obvious choice here. Buys time for the Predators to find a trade partner in-season, probably even for a blockbuster trade closer to the deadline.
If Wedgewood gets claimed they still have the other Matt Murray as a third-string (and backup once Askarov gets traded).
Would’ve been best if Trotz had made this move earlier. Not likely to get an equal return for Askarov at this point, but then again, look what they got for Jeannot?!!
To Carolina for Kochetkov and a first
PK isnt going to be included in a deal for Askarov.
The Predators are more likely to look for a center than a goalie in a deal.