SAN JOSE — The San Jose Sharks acquired what they hope will be their goalie of the future on Friday, trading for top netminding prospect Yaroslav Askarov as part of a blockbuster deal with the Nashville Predators.
The Sharks are sending forward David Edstrom, a 2025 first-round selection — which originally belonged to the Vegas Golden Knights — and goaltender Magnus Chrona to the Predators for Askarov, a 2025 third-round draft pick, and forward Nolan Burke.
Per the Sharks, should the Vegas choice be a top-10 pick, San Jose will have the option to transfer either their own first-round selection in the 2025 NHL Draft to the Predators or the Vegas selection. The third-round pick San Jose is acquiring from Nashville originally belonged to the Colorado Avalanche.
The Sharks had acquired Edstrom and the Golden Knights’ 2025 first-round pick at the trade deadline in March when they sent veteran center Tomas Hertl to Vegas.
Sharks general manager Mike Grier, who is slated to speak to reporters later Friday afternoon, said in a statement that “Yaroslav is a goaltender who has the tools to become an everyday NHL goaltender. His ability to position himself effectively, vision, and athletic ability have been on display in the last few seasons, and he is a strong young addition to our goaltending group.
“We are happy to have him a part of the organization.”
Askarov, 22, appeared in two games for Nashville last season, going 1-0-0 with a 1.47 goals-against average and a .943 save percentage. For his career, he’s appeared in three NHL games, all with Nashville, and has a 2.58 goals against average and .914 save percentage.
The 6-foot-4 Askarov was named to the AHL’s Top Prospects team after he went 30-13-1 in 44 appearances for Milwaukee, Nashville’s top farm team, this season. He was tied for second in the AHL in wins, ranked fifth with a 2.39 goals-against average, and second with six shutouts.
But Askarov appeared to be blocked out of an NHL job for this season after the Predators signed Juuse Saros to an eight-year extension — that starts in 2025 — earlier this year and brought in veteran Scott Wedgewood on a two-year deal to back him up.
Last week, per a report from ESPN’s Kevin Weekes, Askarov, feeling ready to play in the NHL right now, told the Predators he would not report to Milwaukee this season and requested a trade.
Contacted by this news organization, Askarov’s agent, Dan Milstein, said his client “is very happy and is looking forward to joining the Sharks.”
Still, the Sharks already had two NHL goalies on their roster: Mackenzie Blackwood and Vitek Vanecek. Vanecek came to San Jose from New Jersey in March as part of the trade that sent goalie Kaapo Kahkonen to the Devils.
In the spring, Vanecek had surgery for a lower-body injury, and it was not immediately known whether he would be available to fully participate in training camp, which begins in less than four weeks.
Please check back for updates to this developing story.
