Examining Nashville’s Three-Piece Return For Yaroslav Askarov

Nashville Predators general manager Barry Trotz spent months mulling how to best handle his team’s goaltender surplus.

After re-signing Juuse Saros to a long-term contract and adding Scott Wedgewood in free agency, there was still one goalie question lingering. Top prospect Yaroslav Askarov forced Trotz to answer it by making his trade request public earlier this week.

On Friday, the Predators dealt Askarov, forward Nolan Burke and Colorado’s 2025 third-round draft pick to San Jose in exchange for forward David Edstrom, goaltender Magnus Chrona and Vegas’ 2025 first-rounder, which is conditional.

Here’s a closer look at the three assets Nashville acquired.

David Edstrom

Edstrom is just one year removed from being picked by the Golden Knights with the No. 32 overall selection in 2023. He’s since been traded twice, including as part of the package Vegas used to land Tomas Hertl from San Jose last March.

The 19-year-old gives the Predators another promising talent at center alongside Fedor Svechkov and 2024 draftees Egor Surin and Teddy Stiga. It’s a position Nashville has emphasized after years of mixed results in developing players who can handle the demanding role.

Trotz told 102.5 The Game’s Stillman & Company show he views the 6-foot-3 Edstrom in the same vein as Svechkov, Nashville’s 2021 first-round pick who registered 39 points for the Milwaukee Admirals last season.

“Both are really good prospects that are going to play in the NHL,” Trotz said. “They’ve got some size; they’ve got some skill. I feel really strongly that they’re both going to play big minutes for us and important minutes for us in the future. I think we’re building a center ice that I’ll say has some depth to it.”

Edstrom finished 2023-24 with 19 points (7 goals, 12 assists) in 44 games for Frölunda HC of the Swedish Hockey League. He also won silver medals with Sweden at the 2024 World Junior Championship and the 2023 U-18 World Championship.

Magnus Chrona

Chrona probably wants to erase all memory of his last trip to Bridgestone Arena. He surrendered eight goals in an 8-2 loss to Nashville on March 19, his ninth and final NHL appearance of the season.

Despite the rough outing, Chrona could fare better with a different organization after working under less-than-ideal circumstances during his first year as a pro.

San Jose held the worst record (19-54-9) and allowed the most goals (331) of any NHL team in 2023-24. Its American Hockey League affiliate – the San Jose Barracuda (24-34-10) – also struggled with a league-worst 260 goals allowed.

Before signing with the Sharks in April 2023, Chrona starred at the University of Denver. The 6-foot-4 netminder ranks fourth in program history for career wins (73), tied for second in shutouts (13) and sixth in goals-against average (2.20).

He projects to split starts in Milwaukee with free-agent addition Matt Murray.

“Our profile on (Chrona) is that he’s a big man who moves very well. He processes fairly well,” Trotz told 102.5 The Game. “We’re hoping we can get him to the next level, which I do believe we can. I’ve watched Mitch Korn and Ben Vanderklok work some great magic with goalies from other organizations, and they’ve become top goaltenders. We’re excited about Magnus.”

2025 first-round pick (from Vegas)

The Predators now possess the most first-rounders they’ve ever had for a single draft with three in 2025.

There’s just one bit of fine print. If Vegas’ selection becomes a top-10 pick, San Jose can send either that pick or its own first-rounder to Nashville to complete the Askarov trade. The condition protects the Sharks in the unlikely event Vegas finishes with a worse record.

Trotz will have options no matter where the three picks fall. He could use them as trade bait before the deadline, move up to a premium spot in the draft or just make the selections.

Given that Trotz executed six trades this summer alone, don’t be surprised if the Predators eventually part with a few of their nine picks in next year’s draft.

Follow Russell Vannozzi on X/Twitter @RussellV_MSP.

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