GM of the Nashville Predators Barry Trotz expects Yaroslav Askarov to report to training camp

NHL insider Kevin Weekes broke the news this morning that top goalie prospect of the Nashville Predators Yaroslav Askarov demanded a trade and said he would not be reporting to the team's training camp next month.

Yaroslav Askarov feels he has no more place on the team now that number one goalie Juuse Saros has been signed to an eight-year contract. The team also recently signed free-agent veteran backup Scott Wedgewood.

Barry Trotz wasted no time in issuing an official statement a couple of hours later. Teams usually stay quiet in these situations for some time, but Nashville felt it was important to set their expectations right off the bat. John Glennon of The Athletic reported this statement.

The situation doesn't appear to be resolved easily or quickly. There are a lot more internal issues involved here than people think. No doubt Barry Trotz doesn't want or need this distraction, so it's very possible despite his statement he still tries to swing a trade before training camp, or at the very least before the start of the actual season. Teams know that the team will be somewhat desperate though, so the return for Yaroslav Askarov might not be that good.

Yaroslav Askarov has only played in three career NHL games after he was drafted by the Predators in the first round, 11th overall, at the 2020 NHL Entry Draft. He only has one win in his NHL career with a 2.57 GAA and .914 save %.

Source: Blades of Steel
Barry Trotz and the Nashville Predators issue statement on Yaroslav Askarov leak

Source: HockeyDB
Yaroslav Askarov Stats