Yaroslav Askarov Was Never Going to Play for the Nashville Predators

If the writing was not on the wall before July 1st, it would surely be there afterwards. Barry Trotz has always said he did not want to be in a similar position five years from now. The new Nashville general manager chose the sure thing instead of the unknown entity. You can’t blame Barry Trotz for that. Saros carried the Nashville Predators into the playoffs this season.

If it were not for the 17-game point streak, the Predators would probably have missed the playoffs and maybe not made the moves they did in the off-season to land a Royal Flush of players in Steven Stamkos, Jonathan Marchessault, and Brady Skjei.

However, the Nashville Predators were in a different situation when Saros was Pekka Rinne‘s backup. At least Saros was given a chance to back up Rinne, so there was a smooth transition. Here, the Predators have not given Askarov a chance to back up.

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According to Trotz, Askarov was supposed to be given a chance to compete for the backup role at training camp. However, when Wedgewood was signed to a two-year deal, the odds were stacked against Askarov’s winning the job. Despite what was said, the plan from the start was for him to just go to training camp and try to win the job, but it was always for Askarov to play another year in the AHL with the Milwaukee Admirals.

“You’re ready when you’re ready, not when your agent says you’re ready or when management says you’re ready. Or the fans or media,” Trotz said during the June NHL Draft. 

He wanted Askarov to grow inside the Nashville Predators organization. However, the young goaltender saw that he could not get to the NHL if he stayed inside the organization. So, he requested a trade.

When rumors emerged about Saros signing an extension, Askarov quietly asked for a trade from Nashville. When the news became public, Barry Trotz had no choice but to act. However, the Nashville General Manager was always sticking to his guns, believing Askarov would come to the NHL when the organization said he was ready, not when the player thought he was ready.

“I’m glad you’re confident, but your play will tell you if you’re ready to play in the NHL,” Trotz said on his weekly appearance on a Nashville Radio Station. 

It did not matter if Askarov had a good or bad camp; the decision was already made, and he was playing another year in the AHL to grow. But with Wedgewood in Nashville for two years, he might have seen the big club for another year or two.

Not to mention, carrying three goalies does not work. Just ask Calgary, Montreal and Seattle. So the Nashville Predators had to trade him and get a goalie in Magnus Chrona from the Sharks they can develop in the AHL.

So, in the end, the Nashville Predators get more assets for a player they were walking away from next year anyway. Yaroslav Askarov will have a legitimate chance to compete in San Jose. He can grow with a team that will surprise some people this year and has a bright future.