Nashville Predators: How Good is Each Returning Prospect in the Askarov Trade?
By Rob Couch,
2024-08-24
Not long after Yaroslav Askarov openly requested a trade from the Nashville Predators, he was traded to the San Jose Sharks in a six-piece trade.
Along with Askarov, Nolan Burke and a 2025 third-round pick was sent to San Jose in exchange for Magnus Chrona, David Edstrom, and a 2025 first-round pick. With how Barry Trotz has operated as the general manager of the Predators so far, there wasn't a very good chance that Nashville was just going to throw away their top trade asset in Askarov.
While some may say that the first-round pick received in the trade was the key target in the return to be able to use at a later date to upgrade, Edstrom is no prospect to overlook. He was drafted 32nd overall by the Vegas Golden Knights in 2023 and is a 6'3 center.
Edstrom got some professional experience already, splitting last season between the SHL for Frolunda HC and International-Jr for Sweden U20. He spent 44 games in the SHL and scored seven goals to go along with 19 points. But this wasn't even his first taste of the SHL. The young center played in the top professional league in Sweden for 11 games the season prior, scoring two goals and four points.
To get professional experience at such a young age and be able to handle it like Edstrom has is very valuable. Don't think Trotz just wanted any top-end prospect back in a trade for Askarov. It appears he was looking at centers who may be able to slide into the top-6 in the near future. Edstrom fits that bill.
Magnus Chrona
Chrona is a 24-year-old goalie that isn't nearly on the same level as Askarov, but he is a body in goal coming back to Nashville since the organization is a little thin.
Chrona is nothing special and completed his first season pro after four years at the University of Denver. He split the 2023-24 season between the ECHL, AHL, and NHL. He had great numbers in all four seasons during his time in university, but it should take a little time to adjust to professional hockey with better shooters.
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He played 31 games in the AHL, finishing with a 3.49 GAA and .894 SV%, then was called upon by the Sharks for nine games in which he recorded a 4.71 GAA and .859 SV%. It wasn't an ideal situation to play behind the worst team in the league.
Chrona will be with the Milwaukee Admirals this season. The team should be pretty solid in front of him, so the expectation is that with a year of seeing harder shots and more skill coming at him as well as a better team defending, his numbers will go up. If they don't then it's not a complete loss as Chrona isn't a UFA until 2028. The backup role in Nashville isn't opening up for at least two seasons and the starter position is locked down long-term.
The Predators got a strong return for a young goalie forcing his way out of the organization and both prospects have a chance to make a difference. We'll see how it plays out from here, but at least the Askarov situation won't be a problem heading into training camp.
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