Predators top prospect Yaroslav Askarov has signed a tryout deal with the AHL's Milwaukee Admirals, Nashville's affiliate team. The deal is for the remainder of the 2021-22 season, the Admirals announced Tuesday.
Nashville selected Askarov, a goalie, with the No. 11 pick in the 2020 NHL Draft. He recently finished his season with SKA St. Petersburg of the KHL. In six games, he went 2-1-2 with a 1.81 goals-against average and a .913 save percentage.
Askarov made his KHL debut on Nov. 27, 2019, at age 17, becoming the second-youngest goalie to ever start a game in the league. The following year he helped Russia earn a silver medal at the World Junior Championships.
Askarov and the Admirals will begin a best-of-five series against the Manitoba Moose in the Calder Cup Playoffs on Friday night.
(Photo: Maksim Konstantinov / SOPA Images / LightRocket via Getty Images)
How soon could we see Askarov with the Predators?
Adam Vingan, Predators beat writer: Askarov should spend next season in the AHL, at the very least. Connor Ingram is in line to be the Predators' backup behind Juuse Saros next season, leaving Askarov, Devin Cooley and Tomas Vomacka as the goaltenders in the minor leagues.
Askarov still needs to sign his entry-level contract with the Predators.