The Detroit Red Wings’ goaltending is a significant question mark, but one trade suggestion helps to address it.
Yaroslav Askarov is the NHL’s top goalkeeper prospect, but he is blocked by Juuse Saros, the Nashville Predators’ starting goalie who recently signed a long-term contract with the team. With that, PuckPedia’s website now features a new tool called PuckGM, which allows users to create their own transactions. One user offered a transaction in which the Red Wings would purchase the star goaltender.
Red Wings receive:
Yaroslav Askarov: Predators get
Alex Lyon
Jonatan Berggren
2025 third-round pick
The proposed transaction merely gives the Red Wings Askarov, who would almost certainly become the team’s starting goalie. Askarov was selected 11th overall in the 2020 NHL draft and played last season in the AHL.
In the AHL, Askarov finished 30-13-1 with a 2.39 GAA and a.911 SV%, while in three NHL games, he went 1-1 with a 2.57 GAA and a.914 SV%. At the age of 22, he appears to be ready to become a full-time NHL goaltender.
In exchange, Nashville would receive Alex Lyon, a goaltender who could serve as the Predators’ backup or AHL starter, giving them greater depth. Lyon, 31, has appeared in 83 NHL games and is a capable backup.
However, the most important piece is Jonatan Berggren and the draft pick. Berggren was selected in the second round of the 2018 NHL Draft, and the 22-year-old is a capable NHL player. In 12 games last season with Detroit, he had two goals and four assists for a total of six points.
It appears like Nashville will want more in exchange for Askarov, but the Russian goaltender has yet to show himself in the NHL. He is also barred from starting and will be an RFA next season, making him eligible for a raise that the Predators may be hesitant to grant.
Insider Says Askarov is on the Trading Block
Although Nashville general manager Barry Trotz has been hesitant to move Askarov, NHL expert Elliotte Friedman said on his 32 Thoughts The Podcast that the goalkeeper is on the trade block.
“For several weeks now, they’ve been saying to clubs, ‘Let us know what you think, what the market is for him,’ because I believe they’ll do something. I believe Askarov has stated to both the Predators and the league at large that he does not want to play in the American Hockey League and instead wants to play in the NHL next season,” Friedman reported.
With Askarov wanting a chance to be in the NHL and start next season, he is blocked in Nashville.
Red Wings Make Goaltending Moves
Detroit was active in the offseason to fix their goaltending situation, but there are still worries about it.
The Red Wings signed Ville Husso to a three-year $14.25 million contract in 2022, but the deal has not worked out. As a result, Detroit signed free agent goaltender Cam Talbot to a two-year, $5 million contract to compete with Husso for the starting job.
Along with those two, the Red Wings still have Alex Lyon under contract and have added Jack Campbell as their AHL goalkeeper. However, Detroit does not have a true No. 1 goalie, which is why the Red Wings may be interested in Askarov.
