The Nashville Predators quickly addressed their latest challenge after young goaltending prospect and former first-round pick Yaroslav Askarov requested a trade. The Predators found a trade partner in the San Jose Sharks.
NHL insider Elliotte Friedman first reported the deal, sharing on his X account that while he didn’t have all the details, it appeared that Askarov was being traded from Nashville to San Jose.
Shortly after, the Predators officially announced the trade details: they sent Askarov, forward Nolan Burke, and a 2025 third-round draft pick to the Sharks in exchange for forward David Edstrom, goaltender Magnus Chrona, and a 2025 first-round draft pick.
At first glance, this trade seems like a hefty price for the Sharks, but it’s a smart move. Askarov was a highly coveted player once news of his trade request broke, with speculation about potential landing spots across the NHL. Ultimately, the Sharks secured him, and he will now join the goaltending tandem of Vitek Vanecek and Mackenzie Blackwood in San Jose. This arrangement allows Askarov to gradually establish himself as the team’s number one goaltender.
Askarov joins an exciting young core in San Jose, alongside recent top draft picks Macklin Celebrini and Will Smith. This trio, all under 21 years old, now forms one of the most promising young groups in the NHL, with more talent on the way.
This trade is another smart move by Sharks General Manager Mike Grier, who has been steadily improving the team after years of mediocrity since their Stanley Cup Finals loss in 2016. While the Sharks are not yet contenders, addressing their goaltending situation both immediately and for the future is a significant step forward in their ongoing rebuild.
