Askarov Switches Agents, Update On Predators RFAs

In lieu of the NHL offseason getting underway, Nashville Predators prospect and Milwaukee Admirals goaltender Yaroslav Askarov has decided to switch agents.

The Russian net-minder has dropped Craig Oster and Newport Sports Management and is now represented by Daniel Milstein and Vlad Spektor of Gold Star Hockey.

“I can confirm that we do officially represent Yaroslav Askarov,” Spector said in a statement to Nashville Hockey Now. “We do not have any further comments at this time.”

Askarov, who just finished his first AHL season with the Admirals, is two years away from being eligible for restricted free agency. In Milwaukee, Askarov he won 26 games during his debut season, good for fifth-best in the AHL. Among rookie net-minders, he led the league in wins while boasting a 2.69 goals-against average and a .911 save percentage.

With Devin Cooley, who’s also represented by Milstein and Gold Star, testing free agency and Tomas Vomacka back in the Czech Republic, the Predators have a few alternate routes to take in terms of acquiring goaltending this offseason.

RFA Updates

The deadline has passed for the Predators and 31 other NHL teams to file for arbitration with restricted free agents. The Predators did not file for arbitration with any one on the roster.

As stated earlier this week, two of the 10 RFA’s listed in Nashville’s system have returned to Europe. The rest are on the table for a new contract. Admirals depth defenseman Keaton Thompson agreed to a one-year AHL deal on Monday. Aside from that, it’s been quiet within the organization.

The highest-profile cases to keep an eye on are forward Cody Glass and defenseman Alexandre Carrier. After missing 39 games this season, Carrier is stuck between a rock and a hard place in terms of proving his consistency. During the 2021-22 season, he scored 30 points but he totaled just nine points in 43 games this season.

Carrier’s agent told Nashville Hockey Now that there was no word from the Predators in terms of them initiating arbitration.

The same can be said for forwards Isaac Ratcliffe and Rasmus Asplund. Both were depth forwards acquired by the Predators at the trade deadline for future considerations with Asplund playing 19 games in Nashville and Ratcliffe playing 31 games for the Admirals during the regular season and into the playoffs.

“We have not received a team-elected arbitration filing at this time and don’t anticipate we will,” Ratcliffe’s agent Darren Ferris said.

As for the next notable deadline to watch for this offseason — qualifying offers made to players are due by June 30 at 4 p.m. CT. RFAs and their agents also have until 4 p.m. CT on July 5 to file player-elected salary arbitration.

Follow Nick Kieser on Twitter: @KieserNick

(Photo of Yaroslav Askarov via the Milwaukee Admirals)