Nashville Predators General Manager Barry Trotz did not want to lose promising goalie Yaroslav Askarov.
The 22-year-old Askarov was an AHL All-Star in both seasons with the Milwaukee Admirals, posting a 56-29-15 record, a 2.55 goals-against average and a .911 save percentage.
The 6-foot-3 goalie seemed to be on his way to becoming an NHL goalie after getting a small taste of the major leagues. But when the Predators agreed to sign star goalie Juuse Saros to an eight-year, $61.92 million contract before the draft, Askarov knew it wasn’t going to happen in Nashville.
With his path to the starting lineup blocked in Nashville, Askarov requested and received a transfer last Friday that sent him to the San Jose Sharks in exchange for center David Edstrom, goaltender Magnus Chroma and a first-round pick in 2025.
Trotz appeared on TSN1050’s Overdrive on Wednesday and said that despite the outcome, he believes the Predators got fair value for Askarov.
“(The situation) didn’t go the way I wanted it to because when it goes public, sometimes smart CEOs don’t pay full price because you’re at a bit of a disadvantage,” Trotz said. “At the same time, I think we got a pretty fair price for the situation and I’m happy with the outcome.”
Trotz added that he believes younger players like Askarov have been able to take more control of their careers than ever before.
“I think all the young players have more strength than ever and are braver,” Trotz said. “I could say that about all the young players who have spoken out (in the league) and said they won’t play for certain franchises or that their situation wasn’t right for them. They all say they’re ready for the NHL now.”
Trotz believes that just because a player says he’s ready doesn’t necessarily mean he’s ready to play in the major leagues. Askarov has only played three NHL games over the past two seasons and the team didn’t want to fully capitalize on his potential at this point.
Trotz had a plan to develop Askarov in the NHL this season, but the 11th pick in the 2020 draft wanted to try his luck elsewhere.
“I had no problem with Askarov being the Predators’ backup goalie this season,” Trotz said. “I talked to him about making sure he gets enough games and bringing in (goalkeeping coach) Mitch Korn, who I think is the best in the business and will help him continue to improve his game.”
“I just wanted to make sure he got enough games and support to take his game to the next level so he can be the consistent star goalie I see in him.”
Although the situation didn’t work out the way Trotz had hoped, he believes he set his team up for the future with the trade. The Predators now have five first-round picks in the next two drafts, and Edstrom helps fill an organizational void at the center ice position.
Edstrom was drafted 32nd overall by the Vegas Golden Knights in 2023 and has played the last four seasons in the Frolunda HC organization of the Swedish Hockey League.
“You never want to lose a top talent, but I think we got one in Edstrom,” Trotz said. “If you look at our franchise, we’ve been looking for center players. I think he’ll be a good center, but we’ll see where his potential lies.”
“We need to make a good player out of this pick and make good players out of Edstrom and Chroma. They have the profile to do it and we have the coaching staff to enable them to do it.”
