The San Jose Sharks acquired 22-year-old goaltender Yaroslav Askarov from the Nashville Predators as part of a six-asset trade.
The San Jose Sharks are finishing the week with Yaroslav Askarov in their organization.
San Jose acquired the goalie prospect with forward Nolan Burke and a 2025 third-round pick originally belonging to the Colorado Avalanche from the Nashville Predators. In return, Nashville receives forward David Edstrom, goaltender Magnus Chrona and a conditional 2025 first-round pick originally belonging to the Vegas Golden Knights.
If Vegas' first-rounder is a top-10 pick, the Sharks have the option to transfer either that pick or their own first-round pick in the 2025 NHL draft.
Either way, the Predators will now have three first-rounders in 2025, having previously acquired the Tampa Bay Lightning's selection in the February 2023 Tanner Jeannot trade.
“Yaroslav is a goaltender who has the tools to become an everyday NHL goaltender,” Sharks GM Mike Grier said in a news release. “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.”
Askarov, 22, reportedly requested a trade earlier this week and did not intend to report to the AHL if he didn't make the NHL squad, according to ESPN's Kevin Weekes.
The Predators signed starter Juuse Saros to an eight-year contract extension this summer and added Scott Wedgewood on a two-year deal. Askarov, meanwhile, was ranked the eighth-best NHL prospect and top goalie prospect as judged by a panel of scouts and directors of player personnel based on who has the highest upside five to 10 years from now.
The 11th-overall pick in 2020 played 44 games for the AHL's Milwaukee Admirals last season, posting a 2.39 goals-against average and a .911 save percentage with a 30-13-1 record. He also played two NHL games last season, winning one.
The Sharks currently have Mackenzie Blackwood and Vitek Vanecek as their NHL goaltenders, which means Askarov could still play in the AHL next season unless he convinces the team he deserves to be in The Show. But soon after joining San Jose, Askarov signed a two-year contract extension worth $2 million per year, according to PuckPedia.
Burke heads with Askarov to the Sharks. The 21-year-old mainly played in the ECHL last season following his OHL career with the Sarnia Sting. He had 10 assists and 15 points in 47 games for the Atlanta Gladiators.
After the trade, the Predators now have 23-year-old Chrona in their goaltender pipeline. He played in the NHL, AHL and ECHL last season, recording a 4.71 goals-against average and .859 save percentage in nine NHL games played. In 31 AHL games, Chrona had a 3.49 GAA and .894 SP.
Edstrom joins his third NHL organization in 2024. The 19-year-old was drafted 32nd overall by the Golden Knights in 2023 and went to the Sharks in the trade deadline deal involving Tomas Hertl. The center recorded seven goals and 19 points in 44 games for Frolunda in the Swedish League.
For more reaction, visit The Hockey News' San Jose Sharks and Nashville Predators sites.
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