Stuck behind Saros, could Predators’ Askarov become trade bait?

When the Nashville Predators made Yaroslav Askarov the highest-drafted Russian goalie in NHL history in 2020, they fully expected he would eventually succeed franchise legend Pekka Rinne in the Bridgestone Arena goal. Longtime Rinne-backup Juuse Saros unseated his countryman as starter later that year and has never looked back, establishing himself as one of the best and most active goaltenders in the NFL in the meantime. Though ‘Juice’ is in the midst of a down year (3.01 GAA, .901SV%), he is one of the most entrenched netminders in the league; only Connor Hellebuyck has played more since the 2020 draft that brought Askarov to Tennessee. On Tuesday’s edition of Daily Faceoff Live, hosts Tyler Yaremchuk and Frank Seravalli discussed what Saros’s dominance means for the 21-year-old mega prospect. 

Tyler Yaremchuk: If Nashville is holding onto Saros long-term, could Askarov become available?

Frank Seravalli: I was told back at the draft in Nashville Askarov was in play to try to make a splash in front of the hometown fans in Barry Trotz’s first draft as GM. Their idea is to keep Saros long-term, and there would be a number of teams interested in acquiring a pedigreed goalie like Askarov.

The big question for him has been maturity, but he’s played and put up great numbers in the AHL for Milwaukee. He’s had some pretty good numbers to start his NHL career, too, and he’d be a fascinating piece. 

It doesn’t really make sense, even in today’s two-goalie world, to have two goaltenders as good as Saros and Askarov in one crease.

You can watch the entire episode here…