One of the National Hockey League’s most promising goaltenders, Yaroslav Askarov, has reportedly demanded a trade, according to insider Kevin Weekes. Here’s a five-question analysis of the situation.
Who is Yaroslav Askarov?
Askarov, 22, was the Nashville Predators’ first-round pick in 2020, No. 11e overall. No goalie has been drafted higher since Carey Price in 2005*. The 6-foot-3 Russian goalie, who shoots with his right hand, was a hotshot at the World Under-18 Championship in his first year of eligibility and has been considered the NHL’s top young goalie prospect ever since.
*Jack Campbell in 2010 and Jonathan Bernier in 2006 were also drafted at 11e rank.
Why does Askarov want to change organizations?
Askarov is coming off two full seasons in the AHL. He shined in Milwaukee last winter with a 30-13-1 record, a 2.39 GAA and a .911 save percentage, and played his only full NHL game in December, allowing just one goal to the Washington Capitals.
But Askarov feels he’s in a dead end with the Predators, and not without reason. The team’s number one, Juuse Saros, 29, just signed an eight-year contract extension for $61.9 million. The outlook is less encouraging in such a situation…
What is Askarov worth?
The Predators are reportedly looking for an established NHL player and a top prospect, according to insider Elliotte Friedman, preferably a forward or defenseman. And top prospect doesn’t mean a youngster whose talent is still emerging. Teams are hesitant to pay a big price for a goalie who has yet to prove himself in the NHL, no matter how talented Askarov is. When he was traded from the Capitals to the Avalanche for first- and second-round picks in 2006, Semyon Varlamov had 26- and 27-game seasons under his belt. Buffalo traded a first-round pick for Robin Lehner in 2015, but he was 26 and had several seasons of backup experience in Ottawa. In short, Nashville may not get the price they want, hence their desire to have him report to training camp as scheduled. There’s no rush for the Predators. Askarov is under contract for another year and in the worst case scenario he will dry up at home.
Who is looking for a goalkeeper of the future?
The Colorado Avalanche, Toronto Maple Leafs, Washington Capitals, Los Angeles Kings, Carolina Hurricanes, Seattle Kraken, Ottawa Senators (unless they sign Linus Ullmark to a long-term contract), Columbus Blue Jackets, Chicago Blackhawks and San Jose Sharks probably wouldn’t spit on a goaltender of Askarov’s caliber. It all depends on the price tag, of course.
And the Canadian in all this?
With every trade rumor in the NHL, the clickbait is at work! Kent Hughes is nevertheless a proactive executive and he probably takes a look at the situation. Montreal is not in a desperate situation in goal, however. Samuel Montembeault, 27, proved his worth last year, he is under contract for three years, Cayden Primeau, 25, has shown the potential of a quality backup and three young goalies are waiting in the antechamber: Jakub Dobes in Laval, Cam Fowler in the NCAA and Yevgeni Volokhin in Russia, not to mention Quentin Miller in the QMJHL.