Barry Trotz reveals why he traded Yaroslav Askarov to Sharks

After a highly publicized and brief standoff between the Nashville Predators and highly-touted prospect goaltender Yaroslav Askarov, the latter had his request to be traded granted. 

Despite general manager Barry Trotz initially responding to Askarov's desire to be moved by stating that he expected him to report to Predators Training Camp next month, he relented and sent him to the San Jose Sharks along with forward Nolan Burke and Colorado's 3rd round pick in the 2025 NHL Draft; the Sharks immediately locked him up to a two-year extension. 

Meanwhile, Nashville received goaltender Magnus Chrona, forward David Edstrom, and the conditional 1st round pick of the Golden Knights in the 2025 NHL Draft in return. 

Trotz has since opened up about some critical details behind the trade, admitting that some of Askarov's "antics" led to his departure while also lamenting that the public trade request wasn't submitted behind closed doors. 

“I think all those little things did, a little bit [factor into the decision to trade him],” Trotz told 102.5 The Game. “Just because when it got to be very public, I think it sort of pushed it over the edge a little bit. [His antics] are brought up when you’re negotiating, this is why another team will have questions about him."

"I wish [the trade request] had been a little more quiet. … I would probably have loved to have done business a little bit different, but I think we did a really good job of coming to an agreement where both sides are happy.”

Ultimately, the decision was made to move on from Askarov, and Trotz is comfortable with the fact that his team avoided what could have become a distraction. 

“I really felt with Askarov coming to camp, and if we didn’t have a decision or we hadn’t had a move — no matter if he had a good camp or bad camp — I thought it was going to take a little bit of distraction to our focus of trying to do really well this year,” Trotz said.

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