Predators Trade Disgruntled Prospect Yaroslav Askarov To San Jose

Yaroslav Askarov didn’t have to wait long for the Nashville Predators to fulfill his trade request.

Nashville dealt the disgruntled goalie prospect to the San Jose Sharks on Friday in exchange for forward David Edstrom, goaltender Magnus Chrona and the Vegas Golden Knights’ first-round pick in the 2025 NHL Draft, which is conditional. If that pick falls within the top 10, San Jose has the right to transfer either Vegas’ first-rounder or its own to Nashville.

San Jose also received minor-league forward Nolan Burke and Colorado’s 2025 third-round pick from the Predators as part of the deal.

Askarov’s trade request became public on Monday when ESPN’s Kevin Weekes reported the 22-year-old wanted out of Nashville and would not accept an assignment to the American Hockey League.

Earlier this summer, the Predators re-signed franchise goalie Juuse Saros to an eight-year, $61.92 million contract and added veteran backup Scott Wedgewood in free agency, blocking Askarov’s path to the NHL.

Nashville general manager Barry Trotz has reportedly been trying to trade Askarov for over a year. His first attempts came during the 2023 NHL Draft at Bridgestone Arena, with Askarov as the featured player in offers to San Jose (No. 4 overall pick) and Montreal (No. 5), according to The Athletic’s Pierre LeBrun.

Although Trotz was initially unsuccessful in securing a deal, the Sharks ultimately landed Askarov to shore up their shaky goalie group led by MacKenzie Blackwood and Vitek Vanecek.

The Predators have something to show for their trouble too.

Nashville now holds nine selections for the 2025 NHL Draft, including three first-round picks for the first time in franchise history.

Edstrom was originally selected by Vegas in the first round of last year’s draft, but he was traded at the deadline in March to help the Golden Knights acquire Tomas Hertl from San Jose.

The 19-year-old center posted 19 points (7 goals, 12 assists) across 44 games with Frölunda HC of the Swedish Hockey League in 2023-24. He also earned a silver medal with Sweden at the 2024 World Junior Championship.

Chrona split time between the Sharks, the AHL and the ECHL last season. The former University of Denver standout had a 4.71 goals-against average and .859 save percentage in nine NHL appearances, numbers made worse by allowing eight goals in a 8-2 loss to the Predators on March 19.

Follow Russell Vannozzi on X/Twitter @RussellV_MSP.

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