*Photo from the Press Democrat*
According to both teams, the San Jose Sharks have acquired G Yaroslav Askarov, forward Nolan Burke, and a 2025 3rd round draft pick from the Nashville Predators in exchange for G Magnus Chrona, forward David Edstrom, and a conditional 2025 first round draft pick.
The Sharks quickly signed Askarov to a two year contract extension that pays him $2 million annually. That deal will start in 2025-2026. The first round pick originally belonged to the Vegas Golden Knights. If that pick falls in the top 10 picks, the Sharks can choose whether to give the Predators the pick that originally belonged to Vegas or their own.
One of the most highly touted goalie prospects, Askarov has just 3 games in the NHL under his belt. He is 1-1-0 in those games, having allowed 6 goals and making 64 saves. He's started two games and came in on relief once.
Askarov reportedly requested a trade from the Predators after they extended star goalie Juuse Saros and also brought in goalies Scott Wedgewood and Matt Murray earlier in the offseason. While also reportedly refusing to report to AHL Milwaukee, the Sharks don't believe there will be an issue if they reassign him to their AHL team after training camp.
Sharks GM Mike Grier said of adding Askarov "It’s a really big day for our franchise, I believe. To have an opportunity to add him to our group is really exciting, and I think it kind of breathes some more positive energy into the group."
The other piece the Sharks are getting is Burke, a 21 year old forward prospect. He made his professional debut last season after a few years in the OHL. He notched 5 goals and 10 assists for 15 points while posting a -18 rating over 47 games with the ECHL Atlanta Gladiators.
Chrona is one of the players the Predators are getting back, fresh off his NHL debut last season. Originally a 5th round draft pick of the Tampa Bay Lightning in 2018, Chrona went 1-6-1 in the NHL last season, authoring a .859 save percentage and 4.71 GAA and posting 3 quality starts in 8 starts and one additional appearance for the Sharks.
Edstrom is a 19 year old forward who is a former first round pick in his own right. He hasn't played hockey stateside yet. With Frolunda HC in Sweden last season, Edstrom had 7 goals and 12 assists while posting a +12 rating in 44 games. He also added two goals and 4 assists in 14 playoff games.
With the Sharks, Askarov will compete with MacKenzie Blackwood, Vitek Vanecek, and Georgi Romanov for playing time. Chrona will slot in behind Wedgewood and Saros while possibly ahead of Murray on the Predators goalie depth chart.
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