Yaroslav Askarov trade: How Sharks beat out 4 top competitors to trade Predators young goalie
The San Jose Sharks made a blockbuster deal acquiring star goalie Yaroslav Askarov from the Nashville Predators on August 23. Askarov was the top goalie prospect and the Sharks landed him.
According to The Athletic's Pierre LeBrun, San Jose beat out Carolina Hurricanes, Montreal Canadiens, Colorado Avalanche and Philadelphia Flyers, who all submitted trade offers for Askarov.
According to LeBrun, Nashville liked getting a first-round pick as well as center prospect David Edstrom, which pushed the Sharks offer over the top.
“Mike was very consistent,” Trotz said of Grier (per The New York Times). “I got lots of inquiries from lots of different teams. Some of them had offers that weren’t very sincere. I think we did a fair deal with San Jose. In negotiating with Mike, it was always, ‘Let’s do a good hockey trade.’
"You get the best prospect, you’re going to win the trade most times, but I’m really happy to get David Edstrom because we want to continue to add to our center ice. Our scouts really liked him. He was something we really liked at the draft. And getting the pick (Vegas’ 2025 first-round pick), it gives us a lot draft capital now with three first-round picks next year.”
The full deal was Nashville acquiring David Edstrom, a first-round pick, and goalie prospect Magnus Chrona, in exchange for Askarov, Nolan Burke, and a third-round pick.
After the trade, San Jose signed Yaroslav Askarov to a two-year extension with $2 million per season, which starts in the 2025-26 NHL season.
Yaroslav Askarov is thankful Nashville traded him
Yaroslav Askarov was selected 11th overall in the 2020 NHL draft.
Although the Russian was the top goalie prospect, his path to the NHL was blocked by Juuse Saros. With that, he requested a trade and his agent Dan Milstein says the goalie is thankful he got traded.
“He’s thankful for the Nashville Predators for accommodating his request,” Milstein told The Athletic last week. “He’s looking forward to the new opportunity. He knows there are two goalies signed to one-way contracts in San Jose and completely understands that nothing is given. He’s going to have to compete for the spot.”
Playing for Milwaukee Admirals in the AHL last season, Yaroslav Askarov Askarov went 30-13-1 with a 2.39 GAA and a .911 SV%. He will compete with Mackenzie Blackwood and Vitek Vanecek for the starting job.