When Nashville Predators' general manager Barry Trotz inked Juuse Saros to an eight-year contract extension, he knew it might spell the end for Yaroslav Askarov's time with the team. But what Trotz didn’t anticipate was how quickly that trade would come knocking on his door.
Trotz, who is now stepping into his second year at the helm of Nashville's front office, had long envisioned a scenario where the team would have time to further develop Askarov before potentially parting ways. Yet, things took an unexpected turn. In a candid conversation with The Tennessean on Friday, Trotz shared how private talks with Askarov about his future quickly spiraled into a much faster-paced trade scenario than anyone had planned.
The conversation between Trotz and Askarov started on a private note. The young goaltender expressed his willingness to be a "good soldier," despite his desire for a trade. However, things escalated when Askarov made his trade request public. Suddenly, the pressure was on Trotz to act, and act fast.
Trotz explained, "When he asked for the trade request, just privately, he said he would be a good soldier and all that. Then he came out public and said he wouldn't have much interest in that." The shock was palpable, and Trotz realized that the timetable for a trade had just been accelerated. The team’s plans to keep Askarov until at least the end of training camp were now off the table.
From a management perspective, Trotz knew he couldn’t afford to have an unhappy player becoming a distraction, especially with the momentum the Predators built last season. "We talked about exploring some things, working together to see where this process would go through training camp," Trotz said. "But once it became public, it pushed to a different place in terms of the decision time."
The ripple effect of Askarov’s public request forced Trotz’s hand. There was no time to sit back and see how things unfolded. For Trotz, the priority was maintaining the positive energy around the team. "Then if you don't trade him, there's always going to be noise," Trotz remarked. "We've got a really good vibe from what we did last year. I didn't want there to be something that sucked the air out of that."
The San Jose Sharks Swoop In: The Leader in Trade Talks
With the clock ticking, Trotz needed to find the right trade partner, and fast. Enter Mike Grier, the general manager of the San Jose Sharks. The two had already been in touch frequently over the summer, making the Sharks a natural frontrunner in the Askarov trade talks. "(Grier) and I touch base a lot," Trotz explained. "Always talking about what you might do with your team, this guy or that guy. Then when the request was made public, the seriousness of our discussions became a little more real."
Trotz's relationship with Grier made the Sharks an ideal partner, but the trade wasn’t a done deal just yet. Despite the Sharks being the clear leader in discussions, Trotz revealed there were four other teams that were serious contenders for Askarov. Additionally, one or two more teams lingered as secondary possibilities. However, the pressure to act quickly meant Trotz had to pull the trigger on what he believed was a fair deal with San Jose.
The Trade Package: What Nashville Got in Return
So, what did Nashville get in return for parting ways with their highly-touted goaltending prospect? In the deal, the Predators acquired Vegas' first-round draft pick in 2025, a pick previously owned by the Sharks, along with forward prospect David Edstrom and goaltender Magnus Chrona. To balance the trade, Nashville also sent San Jose forward Nolan Burke and a third-round pick in 2025.
This trade package was about more than just one player; it was about positioning the Predators for future success. Acquiring a first-round pick adds to Nashville’s already impressive stockpile of draft capital. With three first-round picks and two second-round picks in the 2025 draft, the Predators have set themselves up for some serious building blocks down the road.
Adding David Edstrom was another strategic move by Trotz, who has his eyes on bolstering the team's center depth. "I said I wanted to come out with a good center prospect," Trotz said. "I'm trying to build our center ice as much as we can." Edstrom, a former first-round pick by Vegas in 2023, is a promising 19-year-old with size, skill, and potential. Last season, he notched seven goals and 12 assists in 44 games with Frolunda in Sweden’s top hockey league. At 6-foot-3 and 190 pounds, Edstrom is seen as a solid two-way center with offensive upside—a key addition to Nashville's future core.
As for goaltending, Magnus Chrona steps in to fill the void left by Askarov in Nashville’s pipeline. Trotz is realistic about Chrona’s role, describing him as their "3-A or 3-B" goaltender behind Saros, Wedgewood, and Matt Murray, who was signed earlier this summer to play in Milwaukee. Trotz has faith in Chrona's potential, stating, "(Chrona) is a big man. He moves very smoothly for a big man. There's some things we've identified we want to work on, but we can get his game to the next level."
Looking Ahead: Building for the Future
The decision to trade Askarov wasn’t an easy one, but it was a necessary move for the Predators. By acting quickly, Trotz was able to secure valuable assets that align with Nashville’s long-term strategy. The addition of draft picks and prospects like Edstrom and Chrona ensures that the Predators continue to build for the future while staying competitive in the present.
For fans, the trade is bittersweet. Losing a top prospect like Askarov is never easy, but the return package provides hope and excitement for what’s to come. The 2025 draft will be a pivotal moment for the franchise, and with three first-round picks, Nashville has the opportunity to bring in high-impact players that could shape the team’s future for years to come.
Barry Trotz’s swift and decisive action in the Askarov trade saga demonstrates his commitment to the Predators’ vision. It’s a reminder that in the fast-paced world of professional sports, sometimes tough decisions need to be made quickly to keep the momentum moving forward. For Nashville, this trade marks a significant step in their journey towards building a championship-caliber team.
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