Nashville Predators trade elite goalie prospect Yaroslav Askarov to rebuilding team
Moments ago, NHL insider Elliotte Friedman reported that the Nashville Predators are finalizing a trade to send top goalie prospect Yaroslav Askarov to the San Jose Sharks.
Askarov is a 22 year old goaltender selected 11th overall by the Nashville Predators in the 2020 Draft, and even before he was drafted he was pegged as one top goalie prospects in hockey. In two AHL seasons, Askarov put up decent results with a .911 save percentage both seasons, but was only called up to play 3 NHL games - which he had great success in.
The Predators will receive a first round draft pick and 23 year old Magnus Chrona in the trade, a backup goalie for the Sharks last year.
It was clear that he was blocked by Nashville's other elite starter Juuse Saros, and a few days ago, Askarov's representation publicly stated that he would not report to the AHL and requested a trade.
Heading to the San Jose Sharks, Askarov will likely get all the NHL time he can handle. While the Sharks are beginning to come out of their rebuild with first overall pick Macklin Celebrini, they're now building the future of their roster in the crease. If Askarov can live up to the hype surrounding him as a prospect, the Sharks could have just acquired one of the star goaltenders of the next generation to backstop a litany of top prospects pushing for the NHL roster. With moves like this, the San Jose Sharks could be back in playoff contention in just a few years.
Source for Askarov Stats: HockeyDB
| POLL | ||
AOUT 23 | 156 ANSWERS Nashville Predators trade elite goalie prospect Yaroslav Askarov to rebuilding team Do you think Askarov will peak as one of the best goalies in the NHL? | ||
| Yes, he will be an elite starter | 32 | 20.5 % |
| Too early to tell | 88 | 56.4 % |
| No | 28 | 17.9 % |
| See Results | 8 | 5.1 % |
| List of polls | ||
