Pair of frontrunners emerge for Yaroslav Askarov

Nashville Predators goaltending prospect Yaroslav Askarov has apparently had enough of not getting a chance to get the starter's role between the pipes, asking to be dealt to a new team and also making it clear that he has no intention of reporting to Nashville's American Hockey League affiliate Milwaukee Admirals for another year in the minors. 

And while Predators GM Barry Trotz immediately countered the trade request by saying that the team expects him to report to Training Camp next month, he may not be left with a choice other than to grant the request for a change of scenery. Nashville is already set in goal thanks to the 8-year contract given to Juuse Saros last season along with the signing of veteran Scott Wedgewood as his backup. 

In the meantime, a pair of teams have reportedly emerged as potential frontrunners to land Askarov's services should a deal ultimately take place. According to Michael Gallagher of Athlon sports, the Carolina Hurricanes and San Jose Sharks could come calling if Trotz makes the Russian goaltender available: 

The Hurricanes are tied to the solid yet injury-prone Frederik Andersen for one more season, and have fellow Russian Pyotr Kochetkov under contract for three more years; Askarov could team up nicely to form a 1-2 punch in net with his countryman in Carolina. 

Meanwhile, the Sharks are attempting to climb their way out of the NHL basement after a handful of dreadful seasons. Right now, they have both MacKenzie Blackwood and Vitek Vanecek under contract for the 2024-25 campaign.

In the meantime, fans of the Predators are waiting to see which side blinks first.

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