Could the Nashville Predators Trade a Goalie This Season?

After reportedly dangling Yaroslav Askarov as a trade chip in June, it's still not out of the question for the Nashville Predators to keep him and Juuse Saros or trade one of the goaltenders if things go south.

As Barry Trotz was taking over as the Nashville Predators GM, rumors abounded during the off-season that he could shake up the roster. Part of that speculation focused on goaltenders Juuse Saros and Yaroslav Askarov.

Saros, 28, is among the league's elite goalies, finishing as a Vezina Trophy finalist in 2021-22. Askarov, 21, is considered Saros' eventual successor.

During a June 21 interview with Nashville's 102.5 The Game, Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman indicated teams were calling the Predators based on the bold moves they made at the March trade deadline. He believed the Los Angeles Kings were among those inquiring about Saros' availability.

Later that month, Trotz said he and outgoing Predators GM David Poile were working the phones attempting to move up into the top four in the first round of the draft. Fast-forward to Sept. 20, and The Tennessean's Paul Skrbina reported Trotz had dangled Askarov as a trade chip in hopes of landing a top-four pick.

Trotz said moving up that high in the draft would require parting with his top prospect. He acknowledged having good goalies but could use “a young center man that could be dynamic.”

These reports do not mean that Trotz will move either goalie this season.

“There's nothing to say that we can't have Saros or Askarov,” Trotz told Skrbina, adding that he doesn't have to move one of them. On Oct. 4, Trotz told The Athletic's Pierre LeBrun he sees Saros as part of the club's long-term plans and already reached out to his agent about discussing a contract extension.

Still, if the Predators struggle this season, we shouldn't be surprised if Saros or Askarov resurface in this season's rumor mill.