Flyers Urged To Pursue Trade For Disgruntled Top-Prospect Goalie

Following the trade request from Nashville Predators' top goaltending prospect Yaroslav Askarov, a plethora of analysts are coming up with ideas and teams that should pursue a transaction involving the netminder.

ESPN's Kevin Weekes first reported Askarov's trade request on August 19 , and ever since, many different analysts have pointed to their teams as potential suitors, including Jonathan Bailey of Philly Hockey Now making the case for the Philadelphia Flyers.

Bailey built his case around the uncertainties surrounding their current Flyers goaltending prospects, Alexei Kolosov and Samuel Ersson.

"From a Flyers perspective, the uncertainty around Kolosov leaves a large age gap in the goalie pipeline," Bailey wrote. "Sam Ersson will turn 25 on Oct. 19, the very beginning of the 2024-25 regular season, and his new backup, Ivan Fedotov, will turn 28 on Nov. 28. The other two goalies behind them are Egor Zavragin, 18, and Carson Bjarnason, 19."

With the Flyers in the midst of a rebuild, Bailey believes that acquiring Askarov could provide the team with a cornerstone netminder for the future. However, he acknowledges that Philadelphia might need to include Ersson in any trade package, a move that could be risky but potentially rewarding.

"The Flyers would likely have to part ways with either Ersson or Fedotov as part of an offer to Nashville for Askarov, and it won’t be Fedotov given how unproven he is and the trouble he went through to personally arrange his move to Philadelphia at the end of last season," Bailey wrote.

At the end of the day, Bailey thinks the Flyers should simply chase any possible improvement they can get their hands on via trade so the team can improve its production quickly.

"Whether it’s Askarov or another young goalie–even Kolosov–the Flyers can’t afford to be risk-averse and avoid building the most talented team possible," Bailey wrote. "Whether they kick the tires and determine Askarov isn’t the player for them is a different discussion in itself."

It's worth noting that Predators General Manager Barry Trotz issued a warning aimed at franchises interested in landing Askarov via trade following his request.

Trotz said that the team expects the young goalie back next season starting at September's training camp, via TSN .

"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," Trotz said on August 19.

Related: Predators' Yaroslav Askarov Price Revealed as Canadiens Get Linked