The Nashville Predators were in a playoff spot by the time the trade deadline came this season, and that meant not selling. They turned out to be buyers instead. That being said, Juuse Saros, who was rumored to be getting traded just weeks prior, was not to be dealt...for now.
Just because one of the best goalies in the league wasn't traded from a playoff contender in the midst of a playoff race, this doesn't mean that the offseason will be different. Saros has just one year left on his deal after this season and the two sides can get a contract done for July 1. Just because they can, this doesn't mean that they will be able to and could make the decision to trade Saros for a haul that much more likely.
According to Pierre LeBrun of The Athletic, the New Jersey Devils will be checking in with Nashville about the availability of Saros once the offseason arrives. While the Predators might not have a decision on Saros made just yet, talks will be started. The Devils are the team that may be willing to pay the most to acquire Saros since goaltending has been their glaring weakness all season and a reason for their downfall from 2022-23.
While the Predators are not Stanley Cup contenders just yet, they are on their way. This would be a lot easier with a goaltender of Saros' caliber on the team and in his prime. In the system, the Predators have arguably the top goalie prospect in Yaroslav Askarov, who should be coming into the NHL next season. He has already got a small taste of NHL action and performed well. This is on top of being one of the best AHL goalies this season. It definitely eases the blow of trading Saros if Askarov can come in and be as advertised. But that is asking a lot right away. In time, yes.
Saros will be 29 years old by the time summer rolls around. That is right in the prime for goalies for the most part. At this age, he will also be looking for a long-term deal and a high AAV. What that means for Askarov is a lot of time spent as the backup goalie in the NHL when he projects to be a very good starter.
I am all for extending Saros if possible and using Askarov as a backup for a couple of years to see how things play out. A decision can be made down the line, but if one of the best goalies in the world can be re-signed instead of being traded, that is the best move for a team that's on the rise and in playoff position already. Despite going straight from Pekka Rinne to Saros and to Askarov in the future, elite goalies don't actually come around that often for many teams. The Devils might have to look elsewhere for their upgrade in net.
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