How The Yaroslav Askarov Situation Became Untenable In Nashville

Yaroslav Askarov’s tenure with the Nashville Predators could be in its final days.

The prized goaltender prospect has requested a trade and informed the organization he will not report to the American Hockey League, as ESPN’s Kevin Weekes first reported Monday morning.

Askarov and the Predators didn’t reach this boiling point overnight. Here’s a look at the events which seemingly led the 2020 first-round pick to ask for a change of scenery.

Trotz shops Askarov at 2023 NHL Draft

Barry Trotz wasted no time in hitting the ground running after he was named Nashville’s general manager. Before officially taking over for longtime GM David Poile last July, Trotz tried to trade into the top five of the 2023 NHL Draft.

Askarov was the centerpiece of offers to San Jose (No. 4) and Montreal (No. 5), according to The Athletic’s Pierre LeBrun. Trotz was unsuccessful in those attempts, but he signaled Askarov wasn’t central to the team’s future in net.

Askarov delivers strong season, disappointing finish

Askarov played well during the 2023-24 regular season with the Milwaukee Admirals and earned a spot on the AHL’s Top Prospects Team. He went 30-13-1 with a 2.39 goals-against average and .911 save percentage before slumping in the Calder Cup Playoffs for the second straight year.

The Russian appeared in just five of Milwaukee’s 15 postseason games due to a combination of poor performance and a lower-body injury. His playoff GAA rose to 3.25 and his save percentage dipped to .882.

During a 4-1 loss to the Texas Stars on May 4, Askarov had a bit of a meltdown when he tackled Texas captain Curtis McKenzie away from the puck, drawing a two-minute interference penalty. It’s hard to imagine the embarrassing moment helped his standing with Nashville’s front office, and just three days after the incident Trotz said, “You can never over-marinate goaltenders (in the minors).”

Yaroslav Asakrov earns a two minute interference penalty for this move. pic.twitter.com/5fBMHbWZ3Z

— AnnK_ (@AnnK_MamaOnIce) May 5, 2024

Predators re-sign Saros, add Wedgewood

Although Juuse Saros was also the subject of trade rumors at various points, the Predators opted to re-sign him to an eight-year deal worth $61.92 million on July 1. The move entrenched Saros as Nashville’s franchise goalie, leaving little room for Askarov to be any more than the No. 2.

However, those hopes were dashed by Trotz’s subsequent signing of veteran backup Scott Wedgewood to a two-year, $3 million contract. The writing was on the wall: Even if Askarov managed a spot start or two in Nashville, he was destined to spend most of the 2024-25 season in Milwaukee.

Agent says Askarov ‘is an NHL player’

Askarov’s agent Dan Milstein made his camp’s position clear in a statement to a Russian sports media outlet last month. They believe the 22-year-old belongs in the NHL.

“Yaroslav Askarov has potential and should become an elite goalie in the future,” Milstein said. “Today, we are working with the club on various options. Yaroslav has proven to everyone that he is an NHL player.”

NHL insider Elliotte Friedman provided a similar insight during his Aug. 14 episode of 32 Thoughts: The Podcast.

“For several weeks now, they’ve kind of said to teams, ‘Let us know what you think the market is for him.’ I do think they’re going to do something,” Friedman said of the Predators. “I believe the one thing Askarov has indicated to both the Predators and it’s kind of been floating around leaguewide – he doesn’t want to go to the American Hockey League. He wants to play in the NHL next year.”

What’s next?

Nashville can avoid further issues by simply trading Askarov before training camp opens next month. That seems like the most probable outcome despite Trotz saying “our expectation is for the player to report to training camp and compete for a job in September” in a statement provided by the team.

The Predators might have to settle for a less-than-ideal return, especially since Askarov has been available for over a year and his discontent is now public. Given the circumstances, parting ways soon may save both sides some heartache.

Follow Russell Vannozzi on X/Twitter @RussellV_MSP.

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