The Nashville Predators have three appealing goaltending option with Juuse Saros, Kevin Lankinen, and Yaroslav Askarov. If Ken Holland approaches Barry Trotz about a deal, what would the repercussions be for the resetting Predators?
The Nashville Predators have three appealing goaltending option with Juuse Saros, Kevin Lankinen, and Yaroslav Askarov. If Ken Holland approaches Barry Trotz about a deal, what would the repercussions be for the resetting Predators?
The Edmonton Oilers announced Sunday that head coach Jay Woodcroft and assistant coach Dave Manson had been relieved of their coaching duties after the team started a season in which they were presumptive Stanley Cup contenders with a 3-9-1 record. The decision to make a coaching change is a token gesture. One of the most frequent suggestions many across the league think will get the Oilers back on track is bringing in a goaltender.
There is more to Edmonton's start this season than bad goaltending, but it is true that Jack Campbell and Stuart Skinner haven't been at their best. Campbell, placed on waivers on November 7, is playing with the AHL Bakersfield Condors. Skinner, who has two wins in his nine starts this season, had his best game Saturday night against the Seattle Kraken, but his slow start leaves him with a current save percentage of .861.
The need for better goaltending has generated speculation that Ken Holland may be looking to make a deal for a better net minder. Doing the financial dance to bring in a quality goalie may be another token solution for the Oilers. If Holland calls the 615 to talk to Barry Trotz about a goaltending deal, what move could make the most sense for the Nashville Predators?
Trading Juuse Saros
Saros has had some early struggles in net, but the Predators know what a warmed up Juuse Saros can do in net. When he is in peak form, he is a game stealing goaltender who can cover a multitude of sins for his team. The Oilers defensive struggles could use a little help like that.
A deal for Saros would need to be very attractive for Barry Trotz to bite, but a desperate Ken Holland may be willing to put together a blockbuster package. Although a big name trade piece like Leon Draisaitl would be tempting, bringing on a 28-year-old center and adding another $8.5 million cap hit for a center after just removing two big center contracts in the offseason would be a big pivot from the "reset" plan. The Predators already snatched one of Edmonton's top prospects in Reid Schaefer. While the Oilers are in a "win now" window that may make them willing to part with more, Edmonton won't want to give away more draft picks than they did in the Ekholm deal.
For the Predators, trading Juuse Saros now likely changes the timetable for this reset. Tough start aside, Saros helps this Predators team keep playoff contention just a few seasons out instead of four of five seasons from now. Saros has one more season with a $5 million AAV, but if Nashville doesn't feel like they can dig out of this season's hole Trotz could decide an offer is worth listening to.
Trading Kevin Lankinen
If the Oilers wonder what they could get from Kevin Lankinen all they have to do is look at his performance against them on November 4. Lankinen stopped 33/35 shots and was only scored on when Nashville's struggling penalty kills was playing in front of him. Playing back up to Saros can be frustrating. Saros does best with consistency, and Lankinen only got 18 starts last season. The two Finns have a close relationship and are a perfect example of an "iron sharpens iron" goaltending duo, but Lankinen is hungry to play more.
After Stuart Skinner's performance Saturday night against the Kraken, Holland may need a complimentary piece to split starts with Skinner. Lankinen is on a one year deal and could surprise the league by playing well enough to earn a starting job with Edmonton.
With goaltending heir apparent Yaroslav Askarov in the wings, trading Lankinen may be the least disruptive move for the Predators looking ahead. Bringing Askarov up this season to back up Saros would give him a chance to get his feet wet without throwing him into the deep end of the pool.
Trading Yaroslav Askarov
This may be the scenario that causes the most hockey angst among Predators fans. Askarov carries the torch for a franchise with a rich goaltending legacy. The only consolation for a Saros trade or not re-signing Saros after 2024-35 is that Askarov is waiting in the wings.
While Saros likely makes the "reset" time frame shorter, Askarov is the key to what the Predators can do with their opportunity once they get back to being a perennial contender. Nashville surprised people using their eleventh overall pick on the Russian goaltender in the 2020 draft, but there is something special — and slightly stress inducing — about his style of play. He has won over the Predators fan base with his play in net and his personality off ice, and without Askarov the longer term future after a successful reset is murky.
While Askarov's name has been rumored to be in the mix, he isn't quite ready to take over for an NHL team like the Oilers who need a remedy right now. Even as a backup to Skinner, Askarov doesn't have enough NHL experience under his belt to provide stability for a team that needs to dig out of the early season hole they find themselves in.
Best Move for Nashville?
If the Oilers have confidence in Skinner, Kevin Lankinen could be an affordable and reliable option for the Oilers. While Nashville would lose stability in net, bringing up Askarov now as a back up wouldn't rush his development by making him the starter too soon. Of course, if Holland approached Trotz with an outrageously attractive offer for Juuse Saros, Trotz would likely think about it.
Until Edmonton makes a decision about what they are going to do in net, Predators fans may be on edge as the goaltending trade rumors continue to swirl.