Weekes: Askarov has informed the Predators he will not report to AHL team, asks for trade

[Moose Head]

Imo he should just play out his contract and if he isn’t dealt by free agent day 2025, sign in the KHL where he can be a starter and make more money. That way, the Preds can’t toll his contract.

 

[JPT]

Those signings, however, blocked Yaroslav Askarov's path to the Predators roster for this season. The promising 22-year-old netminder seemed slated to spend a third season with their AHL affiliate in Milwaukee.

By every definition his path has been blocked to the NHL, outside of potential injury call ups

For you to be correct, assumptions have to be made. It has to be assumed that either he wouldn't beat out Wedgewood for the back up role, or he doesn't believe he could beat out Wedgewood for the back up role. The former means he isn't ready for the NHL yet, making his strategy poorly timed and bad. The latter means he lacks confidence in his ability to beat out Wedgewood, which probably means the same thing -- he isn't ready for the NHL yet. The only other option is he doesn't think he should have to compete for the job. That's not great either when talking about people who play a competitive sport.

Again, he can do whatever he feels is best for himself, but unless Nashville's management told him explicitly that he won't be on the NHL roster no matter how he performs in camp he can't blame it on being blocked.

 

[AtlantaWhaler]

Those signings, however, blocked Yaroslav Askarov's path to the Predators roster for this season. The promising 22-year-old netminder seemed slated to spend a third season with their AHL affiliate in Milwaukee.

By every definition his path has been blocked to the NHL, outside of potential injury call ups

Saros was once a promising young netminder when Rinne signed his huge deal too. Saying by every definition his path to the NHL is blocked is completely false and Saros proved that.

 

[Three On Zero]

For you to be correct, assumptions have to be made. It has to be assumed that either he wouldn't beat out Wedgewood for the back up role, or he doesn't believe he could beat out Wedgewood for the back up role. The former means he isn't ready for the NHL yet, making his strategy poorly timed and bad. The latter means he lacks confidence in his ability to beat out Wedgewood, which probably means the same thing -- he isn't ready for the NHL yet. The only other option is he doesn't think he should have to compete for the job. That's not great either.

Again, he can do whatever he feels is best for himself, but unless Nashville's management told him explicitly that he won't be on the NHL roster no matter how he performs in camp he can't blame it on being blocked.

You have a goalie signed for 8 years and you have another signed for 2 years. Even if he out performed Wedgwood the odds of him being in the AHL are high simply based on the players ahead of him. Now if Wedgwood signed a 2-way contract, it would be a little different

 

[JPT]

You have a goalie signed for 8 years and you have another signed for 2 years. Even if he out performed Wedgwood the odds of him being in the AHL are high simply based on the players ahead of him. Now if Wedgwood signed a 2-way contract, it would be a little different

Why are the odds high that he starts in the AHL? What does that imply? The 8 year extension for Saros is irrelevant to his path this season since Saros was already signed for this season.

 

[Porter Stoutheart]

Imo he should just play out his contract and if he isn’t dealt by free agent day 2025, sign in the KHL where he can be a starter and make more money. That way, the Preds can’t toll his contract.

This is really what he should have done. He can agree or disagree with Nashville's evaluation (which I share) that he simply isn't ready for NHL action yet, that he has too many holes in his game, too many weaknesses in his technique. But agree or disagree, he signed an ELC contract and that inherently means he agreed to yield control of the evaluation of his readiness to Nashville management for 3 years.

By holding out now, after just 2 years, he will gain nothing. He will earn $0 salary after being suspended. He won't be able to play high level pro hockey and work on the weaknesses in his game that he needs to work on. He will have damaged his reputation around the league. He has no leverage whatsoever today.

If he had waited just 10 more months, he'd be in a far better position, and he'd have all the leverage on his side. He'd have improved as a player. He'd probably have played at least a handful more NHL games to showcase himself. Maybe many more if one of the Preds goalies got injured. His contract would have expired and he'd be free to accept an offersheet from another team or go back to Russia.

It was really just a dumb decision by him/his agent to yield the high ground too soon like this.

 

[Sideline]

Why are the odds high that he starts in the AHL? What does that imply? The 8 year extension for Saros is irrelevant to his path this season since Saros was already signed for this season.

Being the 2nd goalie on a NHL roster with an elite, but pending UFA starter is obviously an incredibly different path than fighting for the 2nd job behind an elite starter signed for 8 years. Even being the backup behind Saros now let's him establish an NHL track record to support maybe getting an RFA offer sheet or at least good arbitration money.

Sitting in the AHL means being underpaid this year and hurting his market value going forward.

 

[jackp0t]

Saros was once a promising young netminder when Rinne signed his huge deal too. Saying by every definition his path to the NHL is blocked is completely false and Saros proved that.

This is so different. Rinne signed his big extension in 2011 and Saros got drafted in 2013 as 4th rounder.

He then signed for 2 years in 2018, when Saros already had 2 seasons in the NHL with 40+ games, they split the net for 2 years and Rinne simply aged out. Saros knew for sure he was going to be starter in 2 years.

Askarov is behind Saros for 9 years, his contrat hasnt even started yet.

There is 7 years between Askarov (22) and Saros (29) and there is 12 between Rinne (41) and Saros (29)

 

[herzausstein]

Saros was once a promising young netminder when Rinne signed his huge deal too. Saying by every definition his path to the NHL is blocked is completely false and Saros proved that.

Saros was drafted in 2013. Rinne was about to turn 31.

Askarov was drafted in 2020. Saros was about to turn 25.

4 years after being Saros was drafted, Rinne was in the dying twilight of his career and had 1 more season on his "big contract".

4 years after being Askarov was drafted, Saros is still has several prime years left and hasnt even begun his "big contract".

These are not comparable situations

 

[AtlantaWhaler]

Sitting in the AHL means being underpaid this year and hurting his market value going forward.

By this rationale, every prospect should sit out.

Sitting out because he doesn't want to play in the AHL is likely hurting his value a lot more than playing in the AHL.

 

[barriers]

It's been repeated several times that Askarov has no leverage, he can just retire from the NHL can he not? It would get him out of his ELC and he'd get to keep his signing bonus, he'd be free to sign with SKA, and the Preds would keep his NHL rights though he would become a non-tradeable asset to them. I'd also like to acknowledge this is not a likely scenario.

If I'm mistaken about any of this, and I likely am, please correct me

 

[AtlantaWhaler]

Saros was drafted in 2013. Rinne was about to turn 31.

Askarov was drafted in 2020. Saros was about to turn 25.

4 years after being Saros was drafted, Rinne was in the dying twilight of his career.

4 years after being Askarov was drafted, Saros is still has several prime years left.

These are not comparable situations

Age doesn't matter. Rinne started the entire contract. What difference does the age make?

 

[Porter Stoutheart]

You have a goalie signed for 8 years and you have another signed for 2 years. Even if he out performed Wedgwood the odds of him being in the AHL are high simply based on the players ahead of him. Now if Wedgwood signed a 2-way contract, it would be a little different

That's the wrong way to look at things. He's not blocked because Scott Wedgewood is ahead of him on the depth chart. He's blocked because he's not good enough yet. Which then forced the Preds to sign Scott Wedgewood. The Preds would have much preferred to not have to sign Wedgewood. But Askarov's unreadiness forced their hand.

The Preds have been watching Askarov very closely since they drafted him, watched him again implode in the AHL playoffs last season. They know he's not ready. They wanted to fix that and make sure he made the necessary improvements to be ready in the future. So they brought in Wedgewood so that Askarov could play more games in the AHL, brought in Mitch Korn to tutor him, planned to dedicate another year in Milwaukee to invest in making him ready. He wasn't "blocked". He just needs more time to develop.

As soon as he's good enough, he'll be the Preds' backup. Then as soon as he's better than Saros (if that happened before an Expansion draft/UFA opportunity), he'd be the Preds' starter. Don't forget, the Preds actually do want to win hockey games!

 

[herzausstein]

Age doesn't matter. Rinne started the entire contract. What difference does the age make?

Dude. Rinne's big contract was almost over 4 years into Saros' progression post draft. Saros Drafted in 2013 and rinne's big contract went through 2018. Askarov was drafted in 2020 and Saros' big contract doesnt even start till 2025 then goes all the way through 2033.

Alot different competing against someone getting ready to retire vs a prime age goalie with a massive long term contract

 

[JPT]

Being the 2nd goalie on a NHL roster with an elite, but pending UFA starter is obviously an incredibly different path than fighting for the 2nd job behind an elite starter signed for 8 years. Even being the backup behind Saros now let's him establish an NHL track record to support maybe getting an RFA offer sheet or at least good arbitration money.

Sitting in the AHL means being underpaid this year and hurting his market value going forward.

OK so that means the implication is either he isn't good enough to beat out Wedgewood, isn't confident that he can beat out Wedgewood, or doesn't feel he should have to compete for the spot.

 

[ponder719]

For you to be correct, assumptions have to be made. It has to be assumed that either he wouldn't beat out Wedgewood for the back up role, or he doesn't believe he could beat out Wedgewood for the back up role. The former means he isn't ready for the NHL yet, making his strategy poorly timed and bad. The latter means he lacks confidence in his ability to beat out Wedgewood, which probably means the same thing -- he isn't ready for the NHL yet. The only other option is he doesn't think he should have to compete for the job. That's not great either when talking about people who play a competitive sport.

Again, he can do whatever he feels is best for himself, but unless Nashville's management told him explicitly that he won't be on the NHL roster no matter how he performs in camp he can't blame it on being blocked.

There's a possibility being overlooked here, which is that he could believe without being explicitly told that even if his play would indicate he should beat out Wedgewood, that he wouldn't be put on the NHL roster anyway, as he's waiver exempt and Wedgewood isn't. Thinking that there is no opportunity to compete is very different from thinking you'd lose the competition, or that you shouldn't have to.

 

[AtlantaWhaler]

Dude. Rinne's big contract was almost over 4 years into Saros' progression post draft. Saros Drafted in 2013 and rinne's big contract went through 2018. Askarov was drafted in 2020 and Saros' big contract doesnt even start till 2025 then goes all the way through 2033.

And Saros, after playing years in the minors, was the backup to one of the best goalies in the league with a number of years remaining on a contract. I don't remember reading about Saros ever pouting and holding out on playing. Dude.

 

[jackp0t]

This is really what he should have done. He can agree or disagree with Nashville's evaluation (which I share) that he simply isn't ready for NHL action yet, that he has too many holes in his game, too many weaknesses in his technique. But agree or disagree, he signed an ELC contract and that inherently means he agreed to yield control of the evaluation of his readiness to Nashville management for 3 years.

By holding out now, after just 2 years, he will gain nothing. He will earn $0 salary after being suspended. He won't be able to play high level pro hockey and work on the weaknesses in his game that he needs to work on. He will have damaged his reputation around the league. He has no leverage whatsoever today.

If he had waited just 10 more months, he'd be in a far better position, and he'd have all the leverage on his side. He'd have improved as a player. He'd probably have played at least a handful more NHL games to showcase himself. Maybe many more if one of the Preds goalies got injured. His contract would have expired and he'd be free to accept an offersheet from another team or go back to Russia.

It was really just a dumb decision by him/his agent to yield the high ground too soon like this.

He does have leverage. He will be at the Preds camp and will play in preseason games. Will be a small sample but he does have a name, so a strong camp could shift the whole narrative.

 

[Three On Zero]

There's a possibility being overlooked here, which is that he could believe without being explicitly told that even if his play would indicate he should beat out Wedgewood, that he wouldn't be put on the NHL roster anyway, as he's waiver exempt and Wedgewood isn't. Thinking that there is no opportunity to compete is very different from thinking you'd lose the competition, or that you shouldn't have to.

This. Askarov is essentially the 3rd wheel. Even if he outplays Wedgewood he a still likely going to get sent down simply because it’s easier to bury him for another year.

 

[herzausstein]

And Saros, after playing years in the minors, was the backup to one of the best goalies in the league with a number of years remaining on a contract. I don't remember reading about Saros ever pouting and holding out on playing. Dude.

You dont have to complain when you are being groomed as a replacement. You wait your two years as backup and then start taking over. Askarov will never be groomed as a replacement in Nashville. In 4 years, saros will only be 3 years into his 8 year deal and will still be a starting goalie. These are not comparable situations.

 

[Porter Stoutheart]

It's been repeated several times that Askarov has no leverage, he can just retire from the NHL can he not? It would get him out of his ELC and he'd get to keep his signing bonus, he'd be free to sign with SKA, and the Preds would keep his NHL rights though he would become a non-tradeable asset to them. I'd also like to acknowledge this is not a likely scenario.

If I'm mistaken about any of this, and I likely am, please correct me

Yeah, I guess he could also post a bunch of instagram videos pretending to snort coke, rob a bank, etc, get his contract terminated. Retirement would certainly be better for his legacy!

I wouldn't exactly call any of these options "leverage". They don't get him closer to being an NHL starting goalie anyway.

 

[The Gr8 Dane]

If Askarov going Canadiens he is a goalkeeper starter there away right?

Nah , he would get lit up here

 

[JPT]

There's a possibility being overlooked here, which is that he could believe that, even if his play would indicate he should beat out Wedgewood, that he wouldn't be put on the NHL roster anyway, as he's waiver exempt and Wedgewood isn't. Thinking that there is no opportunity to compete is very different from thinking you'd lose the competition, or that you shouldn't have to.

Unless he has been told he won't be playing in the NHL this season, that's just paranoid thinking. There's really no other reason to think team management would put him in the AHL even if his play in camp shows him to clearly be the better option at back up. Don't you think the Predators would be happy to have the problem of needing to find something to do with Wedgewood and not have to trade away or further disgruntle a prospect with Askarov's potential? Without the team telling him he is definitely going to be in the AHL before camp even starts, I would consider this possibility to be included in a lack of self-confidence in ability.

 

[Lockin17]

Capitals should be all over Askarov, and they have decent trade chips as well.

 

[Porter Stoutheart]

He does have leverage. He will be at the Preds camp and will play in preseason games. Will be a small sample but he does have a name, so a strong camp could shift the whole narrative.

After this stunt, I'd be somewhat surprised if he lasted long at the Preds camp or played in any preseason games. I don't think the Preds will want that attitude around their camp. Maybe they'll find a way to mend the relationship and patch things up. There's time. But if not, I would expect the Preds to assign him to Milwaukee just as soon as the assignment period opens up, Day 1, suspend him when he refuses to report to the AHL, and forego having him be a distraction in camp.