3. Will Yaroslav Askarov to be exchanged?
The 11th overall pick in the 2020 NHL Draft is the organization’s top prospect. The 22-year-old goaltender played two games for Nashville last season and posted a 30-13-1 record with a 2.39 goals-against average, .911 save percentage and six shutouts for Milwaukee of the American Hockey League.
Nashville has signed Scott Wedgewood to a two-year contract on July 1, and the 32-year-old will likely start the season as Juuse Saros’ backup.
“I know I’m going to get a lot of calls about Asky because we signed Saros (to an eight-year contract on July 1),” Predators general manager Barry Trotz said. “… We’re going to work with him, (goaltending director) Mitch Korn, his agency and do what’s best for him. We’re going to do what’s best for our organization.
“The only thing I know is that Juuse Saros is our No. 1 goalie. Scott Wedgewood is there, and if we go to camp and Askarov blows us away and is ready, then we’ll talk to Scott. If Scott beats Asky, then Asky goes down (to the AHL).”
