NHL Rumor Mill – August 20, 2024

by | Aug 20, 2024 | Rumors | 32 comments

A look at potential trade destinations for Predators goaltender Yaroslav Askarov in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Tony Ferrari listed five NHL trade destinations for Yaroslav Askarov.

The 22-year-old Nashville Predators goalie prospect informed the club he wouldn’t report to their AHL affiliate in Milwaukee and requested a trade.

Ferrari noted Askarov may no longer fit in the Predators’ plans after they signed starting goalie Juuse Saros to an eight-year contract extension.

Nashville Predators goaltender Yaroslav Askarov (NHL Images).

He suggested the Chicago Blackhawks, Montreal Canadiens, Toronto Maple Leafs, San Jose Sharks, and the Utah Hockey Club as possible trade destinations.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: It was rumored teams inquired about Askarkov leading up to the NHL Draft in late June. Those clubs could revisit their interest, though his reluctance to return to the AHL could dampen their enthusiasm if they see him as a future piece rather than an immediate member of a goalie tandem.

Askarov has potential as a future NHL starter. He and his agent believe he’s ready to challenge for that role. However, the Predators don’t see him as ready, hence their contract extension to Saros and signing veteran backup Scott Wedgewood this summer to a two-year contract.

The Leafs have cycled through Frederik Andersson, Jack Campbell, Matt Murray, and Ilya Samsonov in recent years before settling on Joseph Woll this season with Anthony Stolarz as his backup. Askarov would likely end up with the Marlies unless Woll should become sidelined again.

The rebuilding Blackhawks and Sharks need all the help they can get at every position. Utah has Karel Vejmelka and Connor Ingram as their tandem but Askarov could supplant one of them.

MONTREAL HOCKEY NOW: Marc Dumont believes the Canadiens are currently set in goal. They have the underrated Sam Montembault as their starter with Cayden Primeau as his backup. Both goalies put up solid numbers last season backstopping a young defense while enduring a three-goalie system. The Habs also have promising Jacob Fowler within their pipeline who could push for the starter’s job within four years.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Rob Couch included the Sharks on his three-team list of possible destinations. He believed Askarov could fit in well with the New Jersey Devils and Los Angeles Kings.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Devils and Kings could use some prospect depth between the pipes. However, the Devils have Jacob Markstrom as their starter through 2025-26 with Jake Allen as his backup this season. Askarov would end up in the minor this season if they acquire him. The same goes for the Kings, where they’ve got Darcy Kuemper and David Rittich.

Julian Gaudio believes the Seattle Kraken should look into acquiring Askarov. He points out that starter Philipp Grubauer hasn’t played to the expectations of his expensive contract. Meanwhile, backup Joey Daccord remains unproven despite his stellar play last season.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Grubauer’s performance and contract will make it difficult to move him. The Kraken could trade or demote Daccord to make room for Askarov.

PHILLY HOCKEY NOW: Jonathan Bailey believes the Flyers should pursue a trade for Askarov because of the uncertainty surrounding Alexei Kolosov’s willingness to play for them.

Bailey noted the Flyers have Samuel Ersson as their starter and Ivan Fedotov as their backup. He believes they would offer up Ersson to the Predators as part of the return for Askarov.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Flyers might provide Askarov with the best opportunity to be part of an NHL goalie tandem this season. It remains to be seen if they feel he’s worth the pursuit.







32 Comments

  1. Fraser Minten for Askarov seems to be circulating around in many comment sections. Preds need a youngster with a scoring touch. TML need a replacement for Woll when he gets injured!

    • I don’t know about that johnny Z – Minten was a 2nd rd pick 38th overall who has just 4 pro games under his belt – not much to increase his value as anything more than another Round 2 prospect.

      Askarov, meanwhile, was a 1st round pick 11th overall who, since then has 95 pro games to his credit, with excellent numbers at the AHL level where he’s played 92.

      It will take more than an untried prospect to land him. Why not offer the negotiating tights to Robertson?

      • Fraser helps the Preds fill 2-3 more roster spots with just over $2M in cap space once Fraser has a roster spot.

      • No way Minten knocks anyone off that deep Nashville roster. Based on what? Not without a whole lot more seasoning in the AHL.

  2. I am sure the Devils want into the discussion on Askarov. Goalie trades are always difficult to evaluate. But first, is Trotz going to trade him? If so, I am sure he wants him out of conference. He wants a prospect of similar value. Not sure the Devs have that right now, their best prospects are up in the NHL already. But the Devs need a future goalie.

  3. Oilers Decline To Match Offer Sheets For Philip Broberg, Dylan Holloway

    • I have to say, this shocks me after their moves on Sunday. They have some cap space now.

      • Agree

        Shocked

        I get the gamblr that Poldoskin may be equal to Hollway

        But Ceci and Broberg replaced by Emberson and Brown…. Not good

      • It’ll look a whole lot better next season when they have to re-up Draisaitl and Bouchard

    • Ken Holland has got to be laughing his a** off.

  4. Didn’t we have this discussion yesterday?
    For the reasons I posted yesterday, and as Dumont writes at MHN, Askarov is not coming to Montreal. And no, they’re not giving up Beck, Mailloux or Mesar for him.

    Toronto seems the best fit. Robertson and another good young player. The Leafs should make the move. But I’m not convinced the Preds will trade him and they sure as hell won’t sell low.

    • Don’t see Toronto having much interest, they signed Stolarz and they have Denis Hildeby who’s getting closer to making the jump. One can never have too many goalies, but would they play him. Unless the price is right can’t see Toronto grabbing him

      • Yogi……..What do you think of this deal ? (I think you are a maple leaf fan)

        To Pittsburgh Nic Robertson 22 $ 2,550.00
        To Toronto Lars Eller 35 $ 2,450.00

        Maybe the Penguins add a pick not sure ! It seems like Robertson isn’t coming back to Toronto and Lars Eller is a Stanley cup champion, a solid two way player with 15 goals last year….can probably get 20 with Toronto.

        He might be that stable 3rd/4th line center that is responsible and can help them in the playoffs..

        Your thoughts?

        Black N Gold

      • Robertson is a RFA right now and I doubt Trevling gives him 2.5 per. Eller would be a good add but Toronto might have a problem with a cap hit. I do like what Eller brings though. It’ll be interesting if Robertson stays and how he would fit under a berube system. Robertson and Marner

  5. Perhaps the Sens should look at Askari’s. Ulmark may be a one season and done. Askari’s and Soogard could move forward as a young tandem.

    Though that could all easily blow up to crap lol. Ottawa does like to kill tenders

    Just a thought.

    • Being that Askarov is demanding to be a starter, going to a team with Ullmark is not going to placate him at all.

      I think allowing Linus to take the reins for a solid season with no distraction is the best thing the Sens can do right now. If he leaves after one season, at least Ottawa still managed to shed Korpisalo.

    • Jeff, more like their goalies kill them … in recent seasons anyway – Murray, Talbot, Korpisalo, Forsberg having an off-year as back-up

  6. Goalies in general don’t bring back much in trades, why think a prospect will?
    Nashville is done with him.

    A D or F prospect can make a team even if they don’t live up to expectations by changing the role or position.
    A G prospect either makes it or doesn’t.

  7. Tristan Jarry would be a fantastic backup, but not at his current salary. Straight swap of goalies with salary retention by the Pens? (Oh man, that sounded like…)

    • But in far fewer words!

  8. Re; young 22 yr old goaltender Askarov

    3 top destnations are for Askarov to be a back up
    1/ Chicago
    2/ Montreal
    3/ Sharks
    they could All do with him, but im sure he a couple of years away from being a starter in the NHL…🤔

    Dont see the Leafs going after him, there goaltending has alway been a continued mess, but
    mostly because of the very poor defence,
    with this years New Duo of Holl & Stolarz…
    Then if the “‘China Cup Holl” go’s down again injured ….they also have young Denis Hildeby coming up next…⁉️
    they may regret letting Samsonov go for nothing!

  9. The Flyers announced they’ve placed center Ryan Johansen on unconditional waivers to terminate his contract following a “material breach.”

    Stay tuned!

    • Saw that

      He’s challenging it

      Same article said the Cap automatically comes off

      I can’t see it being automatic

      They have to prove breach

      If this was the case (comes off books) all teams would claim breach on crappiest contracted player; settle out of court for compensation; save cap

      As you’ve said; stay tuned

  10. Anybody who wants to trade for Askarov has to consider the fact that he wants a chance to start. If a team trades for him and wants to put him in the minors for now he’s not going to report. It definitely sounds like the Flyers are the best candidates. I hope it works out for the man

    • If Ottawa could find a taker for Forsberg and his $2.5 mil cap hit, they could put a decent prospect package together for Askarov and, as a tandem with Ullmark, would probably get at least 20 starts.

    • I agree he wouldn’t make New Jersey this season however coming to the Devils Allen leaves next year opening up the back up spot and Markstrom leaves the year after giving him a path to a star position or team that should be a playoff contender. In Nashville Soros is the starter For the next eight years

  11. Why are the oilers not in this discussion. I would give the backup spot to him. Picard may have played well in the playoffs but Askerov has so much potential. If Skinner were to falter , I could see him becoming the starter and running with it.

  12. The Flyers have placed 32 y/o 6′ 3″ 220 lb C Ryan Johansen on unconditional waivers for the purpose of terminating his contract due to a material breach.

    • I wonder about the cap implications for Nashville, if my Flyers save them 4mil they should throw us a 3rd pick :))

  13. I thought with the Ceci trade a match of the offer sheets was a slam dunk. As they say in Alberta oil well. Emberton and Podkolzin are their replacements.

    Askarov will land. Philadelphia makes sense in that Hart is likely done. Carolina should be looking as well. Anderssen unreliability is a concern.

    • Seattle just made sure that that won’t happen to Beniers (if it could have, that is) – 7 year deal at $7,142.857 per

  14. “ He suggested the Chicago Blackhawks, Montreal Canadiens, Toronto Maple Leafs, San Jose Sharks, and the Utah Hockey Club as possible trade destinations for Askarov.”

    Utah has Ingram who is far ahead of Askarov in the race to be a #1 goaltender.
    Maple Leafs have Woll (25) as well as top goaltending prospects Hildeby and Akhtyamov.
    Montreal has Montembeault and Cayden Primeau.
    Of those 5 aforementioned teams only Chicago and Sharks appear to be realistic destinations.