The 22 year old Nashville Goaltender will not report to the AHL's Milwaukee Admirals
On Monday August 19th, it was announced that Predators goalie Yaroslav Askarov has informed the team that he will not report to their AHL club (Milwaukee Admirals) and has requested a trade (per @KevinWeekes)
This trade request comes after Nashville signed an eight-year franchise goaltender Juuse Saros back in June, meaning they are not letting Askarov a developmental year as the teams back up. Potentially, this would be a great opportunity for the Blackhawks organization to pursue a trade, but at what risk of taking him in? Askarov has put up great stats over his time with the Admirals. In Askarov's two years in the AHL he has 92 games played, 230 goals against, 5408 minutes played, 2350 saves, 0.911 SV%, a win loss record of 56-29-6 and 23 penalty minutes.
Chicago has trade block pieces that could make a trade for Askarov possible. With the names of Lukas Reichel, Ethan del Mastro, Colton Dach and potentially Petr Mrazek coming to mind as bait; Would moving any of those players let alone a draft pick for Askarov be a good move?
Does the move make sense?
The reality is that it’s a shot term a move to get Askarov that would be great for Blackhawks. Askarov, 22, has a lot of potential in the years to come. Although little NHL experience and a lot of cap space taken. The downside, looking long term moving any of those players or a draft pick and the potential they bring to the Blackhawks, would lose out on all of that just to get Askarov with the team and it would probably be a bad move. Along with the Blackhawks goaltending future is high up the rankings, regardless.
A Scenario:
If Chicago went for the rookie goaltender, it would have to make long-term sense for the team. Practically speaking, Kyle Davidson the team's GM, wouldn't want another logjam in the goalteding department. Meaning one of Chicago's goaltenders would need to go.
Blackhawks veteran goaltender Petr Mrazek, 32, inked a two-year extension last winter with Chicago. Under contract through the 2025-2026 season, Mrazek is expected to be the teams starter until either Drew Commesso or Adam Gajan, both Blackahwks prospect goaltenders, are ready to make the step to the NHL.
In and out:
In order for it to make sense, Mrazek is seemingly the goaltender that the team would move for Askarov. Laurent Brossoit, the newest Blackhawks goaltender, was brought on to backup Mrazek at the start of free agency. The upside, that Brossoit, 31, put up outstanding numbers, including back to back .927 SV% between the Vegas Golden Knights and Winnipeg Jets. The downside - he never has played more than 24 games in a single season.
The first gamble, the team would have to give the heavy load, around 60 games, to Borssoit. A step up from his single season GP record of 24. Would he be able to handle playing 60 games?
Along with the fact, if you've seen Askarov play, no goaltender in the AHL is as agressive as the rookie. While it worked at the AHL level, it may not work in the NHL. Backing up Brossoit would give him a chance to dip his feet in NHL waters.
It wouldn't just take Mrazek to get Askarov by any means, following the reports that Nashville's GM Barry Trotz explained the team "would be patient" and "listen to all offers" on the goaltender.
A trade could look like:
Petr Mrazek,
2025 1st round, 18th pick (Via NYI)
2025 2nd round, 50th pick (Via NYI)
Lukas Reichel
For:
Yaroslav Askarov
I am Rob Rubio - lead Chicago Blackhawks analyst and writer for Biscuit Buds. For more Chicago Blackhawks news and updates please follow along at biscuitbuds.com
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