Devils Trade for Yaroslav Askarov Appears Unlikely (+)

The New Jersey Devils have figured out their plan for goaltending in 2024-25. Certainly, it will be in a much stronger spot — at least on paper — than where it was at the beginning of 2023-24. On Monday, it was reported that a previous goaltender of interest requested a trade from his current organization. However, a Devils trade for Yaroslav Askarov appears unlikely.

ESPN’s Kevin Weekes reports that the Predators highly-touted prospect goaltender has requested a trade and will not report to Nashville’s American Hockey League club, the Milwaukee Admirals, in September.

**Breaking News** 🚨 📰
I’m told that Top Goalie Prospect Askarov has informed the @PredsNHL that he will not report to their @TheAHL team, and has requested a trade. #HockeyX #Preds pic.twitter.com/EQFGs7FUJK

— Kevin Weekes (@KevinWeekes) August 19, 2024

Shortly after Weekes’ report, Predators GM Barry Trotz states via John Glennon of NHL.com, “We are aware of the report today and our expectation is for the player to report to training camp and compete for a job in September.”

It’s important to note that Trotz did not deny the trade request by Askarov in the statement.

When reaching out to a source on whether or not the Devils were a player to potentially acquire the 22-year-old goaltender, New Jersey Hockey Now didn’t get a yes. But, we also didn’t get a no.

Yet, although there was quite literally a “no comment,” a Devils trade for the former first-round pick is unlikely.