SAN JOSE – The San Jose Sharks signed what they hope shall be their goalie of the long run on Friday by trading top goaltending talent Yaroslav Askarov in an enormous cope with the Nashville Predators.
The Sharks sent forward prospect David Edstrom, a 2025 first-round pick – who originally belonged to the Vegas Golden Knights – and Barracuda goaltender Magnus Chrona to the Predators in exchange for Askarov, a 2025 third-round draft pick, and minor league forward Nolan Burke.
According to the Sharks, San Jose has the choice to trade either its own first-round pick within the 2025 NHL Draft to the Predators or the Vegas pick should Vegas' pick fall in the highest 10. The third-round pick San Jose is getting from Nashville originally belonged to the Colorado Avalanche.
The Sharks acquired Edstrom and the Golden Knights' 2025 first-round pick on the trade deadline in March once they sent experienced center Tomas Hertl to Vegas.
The deal is one in all the largest in Mike Grier's relatively short tenure as general manager of the Sharks as he looks to secure the goaltending position long-term, nevertheless it will not be without risk. Askarov, 22, has played just three NHL games in his profession and it’s unclear if he’s able to develop into a full-time NHL player immediately.
Grier, who’s scheduled to talk to reporters Friday afternoon, said in an announcement: “Yaroslav is a goalie who has the potential to be an NHL goalie who plays every day. His ability to position himself effectively, his vision and his athleticism have been demonstrated over the past few seasons and he is a strong, young addition to our goaltending group.”
“We are happy to have him as part of the organization.”
Askarov, 22, went 1-0-0 with a 1.47 goals-against average and a .943 save percentage in two games for Nashville last season. He has played three profession NHL games, all with the Predators, and has a 2.58 goals-against average and a .914 save percentage.
The 6-foot-4 Askarov was named to the AHL's Top Prospects Team last season after going 30-13-1 in 44 games for Milwaukee, Nashville's top farm team. He was second within the AHL in wins, fifth in goals-against average (2.39) and second in shutouts with six.
Askarov also helped the Admirals reach the Western Conference Finals in 2023 and 2024, posting an 8-9 record and .897 save percentage in 17 postseason games.
But Askarov gave the impression to be ruled out of a job within the NHL this season after the Predators earlier this 12 months signed veteran Juuse Saros to an eight-year contract extension – starting in 2025 – and signed experienced Scott Wedgewood to a two-year deal as his substitute.
According to a report from ESPN's Kevin Weekes, Askarov told the Predators last week that he was able to play within the NHL, believing he wouldn’t play in Milwaukee this season and requested a trade.
Askarov's agent, Dan Milstein, was contacted by this news organization and said his client was “very happy and excited to join the Sharks.”
With Mackenzie Blackwood and Vitek Vanecek, the Sharks already had two goalies on their NHL roster, but could potentially keep three at first of the season.
Vanecek got here to San Jose from New Jersey in March as a part of the trade that sent goaltender Kaapo Kahkonen to the Devils. Vanecek underwent surgery for a lower-body injury within the spring and it was initially unclear whether he can be fully available for training camp, which begins in lower than 4 weeks.
Both Blackwood and Vanecek are entering the ultimate 12 months of their respective contracts and may develop into unrestricted free agents next summer. Askarov, who was drafted eleventh overall by Nashville in 2020, is ready to develop into a restricted free agent next summer.
Grier and his team have added a handful of promising forwards and defensemen to the Sharks' roster lately, most notably Macklin Celebrini, Will Smith and Quentin Musty on offense and Henry Thrun, Sam Dickinson and Shakir Mukhamadullin on defense.
But if Askarov develops right into a No. 1 goalie within the NHL, because the Sharks hope, it could fill an enormous hole within the organization. In addition to Blackwood and Vanecek awaiting their UFA, Chrona and fellow Barracuda player Georgi Romanov have little experience on the NHL level, having played just 11 games combined for the Sharks.
In his first full skilled season as a rookie, Chrona played 31 games with the Barracuda, going 6-17-6 with a .894 save percentage. In nine games with the Sharks, he went 1-6-1 with a .859 save percentage.
Edstrom, 19, was chosen by Vegas in the primary round of the 2023 NHL Draft. He spent the 2023-24 season with Frölunda within the Swedish Hockey League, scoring seven goals and 12 assists in 44 games. He also planned to return to Sweden next 12 months.
Burke, 21, played primarily for the Atlanta Gladiators of the ECHL last season, appearing in 47 games and recording 15 points (five goals, 10 assists). He played one game for the Admirals last season.
Originally published:
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