With less than 24 hours remaining before the deadline, St. Louis Blues fans are closely monitoring the situation to see if the Edmonton Oilers will match the Blues’ offer sheets for Dylan Holloway or Philip Broberg. If the Oilers decline, it could significantly strengthen the Blues’ core with a promising young player. However, even if the deadline passes, General Manager Doug Armstrong’s efforts shouldn’t stop there. He should continue to seek opportunities to enhance the team and build for the future. Given Yaroslav Askarov’s recent trade request from the Nashville Predators, Armstrong should at least consider the possibility of acquiring him.
For those unfamiliar, Askarov, 22, was the 11th overall pick in the draft and is widely regarded as one of the top goaltending prospects in the NHL. Last season, he posted a .911 save percentage and a 2.39 goals-against average in 44 games with the Milwaukee Admirals of the AHL. He is on the brink of transitioning to the NHL, following in the footsteps of other prominent Russian goalies.
The Predators face a dilemma: with Juuse Saros, an elite NHL goaltender, already on their roster and recently signed to an eight-year extension, there is no clear path for Askarov to play at the NHL level. Askarov has largely proven himself at the AHL level, and recent reports confirm his desire for a trade. The asking price for such a highly-regarded goaltender is expected to be steep, given his potential to become one of the league’s top goalies in the near future.
The Blues should seriously consider pursuing Askarov due to the rarity of this opportunity. Despite the challenge of negotiating with a division rival, it’s not impossible to strike a deal—one same-division trade has already occurred this day. If the Blues make the most compelling offer, the Predators might have little choice but to consider it.
For a team like the Blues, who are in the midst of a roster rebuild and planning for the future, Askarov represents a significant asset. Some might argue that with Joel Hofer’s strong rookie season, additional young goaltending isn’t necessary. However, Askarov’s potential sets him apart. The Blues have seldom had a truly elite goaltender since Curtis Joseph, who had not yet reached his peak when he left the team.
Acquiring Askarov would likely be costly, but if the Oilers’ decision to let Holloway or Broberg go opens up other trade possibilities, the Blues could make a strong offer. They could include draft picks, which could be valuable given their status as a fringe playoff team, or even offer Hofer, who could fill the void left by Askarov in Nashville. A package featuring Hofer, a draft pick, and a solid prospect might be appealing to the Predators.
While the odds of landing Askarov are slim and other teams are likely competing for him, the Blues should explore this opportunity thoroughly. Goaltenders of Askarov’s caliber don’t become available often, and every team should investigate what it would take to acquire such a player.
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