The New Jersey Devils have figured out their plan for goaltending in 2024-25. Certainly, it will be in a much stronger spot — at least on paper — than where it was at the beginning of 2023-24. On Monday, it was reported that a previous goaltender of interest requested a trade from his current organization. However, a Devils trade for Yaroslav Askarov appears unlikely.
ESPN’s Kevin Weekes reports that the Predators highly-touted prospect goaltender has requested a trade and will not report to Nashville’s American Hockey League club, the Milwaukee Admirals, in September.
**Breaking News** šØ š°
Iām told that Top Goalie Prospect Askarov has informed the @PredsNHL that he will not report to their @TheAHL team, and has requested a trade. #HockeyX #Preds pic.twitter.com/EQFGs7FUJK— Kevin Weekes (@KevinWeekes) August 19, 2024
Shortly after Weekes’ report, Predators GM Barry Trotz states via John Glennon of NHL.com, āWe are aware of the report today and our expectation is for the player to report to training camp and compete for a job in September.ā
It’s important to note that Trotz did not deny the trade request by Askarov in the statement.
When reaching out to a source on whether or not the Devils were a player to potentially acquire the 22-year-old goaltender, New Jersey Hockey Now didn’t get a yes. But, we also didn’t get a no.
Yet, although there was quite literally a āno comment,ā a Devils trade for the former first-round pick is unlikely.
Askarov’s Trade Request
Askarov’s trade request shouldn’t come as a surprise. The Predators inked goaltender Juuse Saros to an eight-year contract earlier this summer. It’s clear they’re fully investing in the 29-year-old as their starting goaltender now and in the future. Additionally, Trotz signed former Devils goaltender Scott Wedgewood for the next two seasons as Nashville’s backup goaltender on July 1st.
By default, Askarov is the Predators third-string goaltender barring any injuries for the next two seasons if he remains in Nashville’s organization.
Yet, the former 11th overall pick in 2020 seemingly believe’s he’s ready for an NHL job now. That much is clear as Askarov is uninterested in returning to the AHL next season.
It’s an interesting case study. Askarov only has three NHL games under his belt. He’s recorded a 1-1-0 record with a 2.58 GAA and .943 SV% in his short sample, all very encouraging numbers.
Zooming the lens in a little further, Askarov has one excellent start against the Washington Capitals last season stopping 27 of 29 pucks, one relief appearance in which he made 6/6 saves, and one loss two seasons ago against the Montreal Canadiens in which he allowed four goals on 35 shots.
Although, again, a small sample, it’s a wildly inconsistent NHL sample.
Askarov’s AHL sample offers a lot more.
In 92 AHL contests, Askarov has accrued a .911 SV% and 2.55 GAA across two seasons. In the AHL playoffs in 2024, Askarov was less than encouraging, registering a 2,25 GAA and .882 SV%, a regression from the spring previous when he recorded a 2,70 GAA and .903 SV% in 12 games.
It seems Trotz isn’t sold on Askarov’s consistency.
Askarov Devils Trade Unlikely
If general manager Tom Fitzgerald wanted to gamble on the young Askarov, a Devils trade likely would have been done already.
Instead, Fitzgerald went with a veteran crease presence. He acquired Jacob Markstrom this summer, and Jake Allen at the 2024 NHL Trade Deadline.
After the debacle in goal during the 2023-24 season, Fitzgerald appears done with gambling on young goaltenders developing at the NHL level. Although Askarov has a higher ceiling than Nico Daws or former Devils goaltender, Akira Schmid, there’s no evidence to support Askarov is NHL-ready. Nor is there evidence that he would have success at this level in this point of his development.
Certainly, there is an argument that the Devils could acquire Askarov to be Allen’s predecessor when his contract is up this summer.
That’s true, but the Devils are already minus their 2025 first-round selection. Whereas, a rebuilding team such as the San Jose Sharks or Chicago Blackhawks have multiple first-round picks to work with via trade. There’s little reason to believe Askarov couldn’t win a job in one of those organizations.
Plus, if Askarov was willing to wait, he could succeed Wedgewood in Nashville. Although that would be one-year later than Allen in New Jersey.
Regardless, it’s evident Askarov’s patience has run out.
Devils Succession Plan in Place
How quick some of us are to forget that Nico Daws was the No.1 ranked goaltender in North America entering the 2020 NHL Draft. Although he wasn’t without some struggles in 2023-24, Daws was sprung into a goaltending situation that he probably never should have been put in. Further, the 23-year-old showed he has the pedigree to become an NHL starting goaltender with the right development plan.
MUST READ: Devils Reveal Goaltender Succession Plan, Confidence in Nico Daws
The Devils showed that vow of confidence in Daws. This summer, Fitzgerald inked the former third-round pick in 2020 to a two-year contract. In year one, it’s a two-way deal. However, in year two, Daws contract upgrades to a one-way deal.
It’s evident that Fitzgerald believe’s Daws will back up Markstrom in 2025-26.
It’s a short-term plan, however, it’s a smart gamble. Fitzgerald isn’t committing too much too soon to any of the netminders involved. He now has the flexibility to gauge Daws’ development in order to see if he’s the Devils future starter. All while the Devils have the veteran presence necessary in the crease to win now.
The desire by fans to see a Devils trade for Askarov makes sense. He seems like a sensible solution to the future of the Devils’ goaltending.
However, it’s abundantly true that Fitzgerald is taking a more reserved approach. He’s working with the veterans now and next year to get the Devils back in the playoff picture, while hoping it helps to groom Daws to be the goaltender of tomorrow.
Acquiring Askarov in a Devils trade made sense at one point. However, the way the Devils are currently constructed, it doesn’t make much sense anymore.
The Devils are in win-now mode. And although they will be in win-now mode for a long time, they believe they have the pieces to do so internally. And if it doesn’t work out with Daws in two seasons, Fitzgerald has left himself flexibility to pivot in two seasons.
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