By Jesse Granger, Scott Wheeler, Joe Rexrode and Mark Puleo
The San Jose Sharks may have landed their goalie of the future Thursday, acquiring coveted prospect Yaroslav Askarov along with a 2025 third-round pick and forward Nolan Burke in a deal with the Nashville Predators, who received forward David Edstrom, a 2025 first-round pick and goalie Magnus Chrona, the teams announced.
Askarov, 22, was selected No. 11 by Nashville in 2020 and has starred for the AHL Milwaukee Admirals 2022. He appeared in two games for the Predators last season, earning a record of 1-0-0 and a save percentage of .943 percent, stopping 33 of 35 shots.
“Yaroslav is a goaltender who has the tools to become an everyday NHL goaltender,” Sharks general manager Mike Grier said. “His ability to position himself effectively, vision, and athletic ability have been on display in the last few seasons, and he is a strong young addition to our goaltending group. We are happy to have him a part of the organization.”
With Milwaukee, Askarov appeared in 44 games last season, going 30-13-1 with six shutouts and a 2.39 goals against average — good for fifth-best in the AHL. Before his AHL debut, the 6-foot-3 Askarov played three seasons in the Kontinental Hockey League.
The third-round pick acquired by San Jose will be Colorado’s selection, while the first-round pick acquired by Nashville will be from Vegas. If that pick lands in the top 10, San Jose will have the choice to transfer either their own first-round selection in the 2025 NHL Draft, or the Vegas selection.
How big of a prospect is Askarov?
Askarov is one of the most talented goalie prospects in the sport and my No. 2-ranked drafted goalie prospect. He had a 21-game winning streak in the AHL last year and can look unbeatable when he’s dialed in. He’s got phenomenal athleticism and mobility, with explosive post-to-post and low-to-high pushes and active (and at times jittery) feet that allow him to stick with shooters. He makes a ton of second- and third-chance saves, and can really wow you with the pucks he gets to. That blend of power and speed gives him exciting upside and is backed by an extended track record in Russia and the AHL.
He’s exactly what the Sharks pool — which is loaded up front and added defensemen Sam Dickinson and Leo Sahlin Wallenius at the 2024 draft — needed, too. They lacked a legit goalie prospect, let alone a high-end one. Askarov gives them a potential future starter who fits into their timeline. — Scott Wheeler, NHL draft writer
What is Nashville getting in return?
In Edstrom, the Predators get a center prospect with desirable size and a real sense for the game. His skill level and skating aren’t high-end, but he projects as a third-line center who can contribute offensively and play with a variety of linemates.
Coincidentally, this is the second time he’s been traded this year after the Vegas Golden Knights, who drafted him in the first round, first dealt him to San Jose as part of the Tomáš Hertl package. Edstrom will be a top-six center for Sweden at the upcoming world juniors. — Wheeler
Can Askarov live up to the hype?
In Askarov I believe the Sharks are getting a potential future top-five goalie in the entire NHL. With his incredible athleticism, precise edge work and quick twitch reactions, I believe Askarov’s ceiling is Vezina-caliber. He’s quick laterally, and always seems balanced and anchored to the ice no matter how quickly the play shifts side to side. He’s a fiery competitor, which should help behind a rebuilding Sharks’ defense.
Askarov was dominant in the AHL last season, and appears ready for NHL action. Assuming the Sharks hang onto last year’s starter, Mackenzie Blackwood, who is entering the final year of his deal, I think he provides an excellent mentor for Askarov. Like the young Russian netminder, Blackwood entered the league highly touted and physically gifted as a second-round pick in 2015. He hasn’t put it all together in the NHL, but could provide Askarov with plenty of advice.
I love this move for the Sharks. Projecting goalies is difficult so it comes with plenty of risk, but it’s an aggressive shot at finding a franchise goalie for the next decade as they continue building the pipeline of skaters. — Jesse Granger, NHL staff writer
Why did the Predators move on?
When Barry Trotz decided to sign Juuse Saros to a long-term extension this offseason — eight years, $61.92 million — a future elsewhere for Askarov was essentially clinched. Yes, Trotz talked about past experiences with two prime goaltenders working together, and the Preds would have embraced a gradual development plan for Askarov if the right deal didn’t come along. But Trotz has shopped him before and the question was how Askarov would react to the situation.
This week’s demand for a trade was the answer, and a quick move made sense. The Preds loaded up and are going for it with Steven Stamkos, Jonathan Marchessault and Brady Skjei joining Filip Forsberg, Roman Josi and Ryan O’Reilly. Trotz’s choice will be judged on that pursuit in the near term, and on Askarov’s long-term development as a goalie.
Getting a 2025 first-round pick along with two prospects is a solid return for Trotz. — Joe Rexrode, Nashville columnist
Required reading
(Photo: Andreas Hillergren / TT News Agency / AFP via Getty Images)
