NHL training camps are just over a month away as the 2024-25 season is fast approaching. The 2024 offseason has been entertaining to say the least and after a couple of quiet weeks, things picked up in a major way.
While in Toronto, the Auston Matthews Era begins, here’s the very latest on what’s going on around the NHL.
Yaroslav Askarov requests a trade from Predators
According to Kevin Weekes, Yaroslav Askarov has requested a trade from the Nashville Predators. The request comes after Predators general manager Barry Trotz mentioned Askarov was likely headed to the AHL to start next season after the team re-signed Juuse Saros to an eight-year deal and brought in veteran backup Scott Wedgewood on a two-year contract.
**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
Askarov, 22, was an 11th overall selection of the Predators at the 2020 NHL Draft and has done nothing but impress ever since. He’s only appeared in three NHL games since joining the organization, however has posted back-to-back impressive campaigns with the Milwaukee Admirals, including a 30-13-1 record and 2.39 goals against average last season.
While the Maple Leafs are not a likely destination for the Russian netminder considering Joseph Woll and Anthony Stolarz are locked in, if a three-way deal ends up shaking together, perhaps Brad Treliving will get involved. Don’t forget that the team has restricted free-agent forward Nick Robertson who reportedly does not intend to re-sign with the Maple Leafs and would prefer to be traded.
As for the Predators, they have been busy of late, dealing Cody Glass and two draft picks to the Pittsburgh Penguins for forward Jordan Frasca, in what was an obvious cost-savings move. The Predators have just over $3 million in cap space and are now served with a reported trade request from their top prospect.
Edmonton Oilers deal former Maple Leaf Cody Ceci
Cody Ceci is on the move as the Edmonton Oilers and San Jose Sharks announced a trade late Sunday evening, seeing Cody Ceci wind up with the Sharks along with a draft pick in exchange for defenceman Ty Emberson. The move comes almost a week after the St. Louis Blues signed Dylan Holloway and Philip Broberg to offer sheets, giving freshly named Oilers GM Stan Bowman plenty to think about just days on the job.
Ceci, who spent just 56 games with the Maple Leafs in 2019-20, is signed for next season at $3.25 million AAV and by shaking off his cap hit, Bowman now is in better position to retain both Holloway and Broberg. The Oilers will have to make a decision on Monday.
Edmonton will likely move Evander Kane to LTIR and have to waive one veteran player who makes around $1 million, if they are going to open the season with Holloway and Broberg on the roster and be cap compliant. After what many felt was a very successful offseason for the Western Conference champions, things have become interesting quickly with the Blues trying to poach from their young core.
In another move on Sunday, the Oilers and Vancouver Canucks pulled off a trade which saw former 2019 first-round pick Vasily Podkolzin dealt to Edmonton in exchange for a 2025 fourth-round pick. After a promising rookie campaign where Podkolzin scored 14 goals in 79 games, last season he managed just two points in 19 NHL games. It’s rare to see a team give up a former first-rounder to a divisional rival, however it’s obvious Canucks’ management has seen enough and wanted to clear the $1 million cap hit off their books the next two seasons.
Patrik Laine trade talks continue in Columbus
Columbus Blues Jackets general manager Don Waddell was a guest on TSN’s Overdrive last week and confirmed he’s engaged with two or three teams regarding a Patrik Laine trade.
Laine has formally requested a trade from the Blue Jackets. The former second-overall pick has two seasons left on his contract at $8.7 million AAV and it will be very interesting to see what kind of return Waddell can land in the deal, considering he doesn’t have a ton of leverage.
Waddell confirmed Laine may wind up reporting to training camp despite the trade request and ongoing talks, because Waddell isn’t comfortable just making a trade for the sake of making a trade. The Blue Jackets GM did confirm Laine does not intend to play another game for the team, citing some locker room issues the past couple of seasons as the reason he wants out.
While Laine would be another offensive weapon for the Maple Leafs, don’t expect to see Treliving get involved due to the $8.7 million cap hit Toronto has no room for.
