Sharks Acquire Yaroslav Askarov from Predators

 The Sharks swung for the fences and made a big trade with the Predators Friday afternoon, acquiring goalie prospect Yaroslav Askarov, forward prospect Nolan Burke, and a 2025 third-round pick originally from the Colorado Avalanche from the Nashville Predators. The return to Nashville from San Jose consists of forward prospect David Edstrom, goalie Magnus Chrona, and a conditional 2025 first-round pick originally from the Vegas Golden Knights. 

This is a huge and sneaky good trade for Team Teal, as they are getting the biggest fish in this deal in Yaroslav Askarov, who is deemed the best goalie prospect in the NHL and the Sharks' goalie of the future. This significant trade came about due to Yaroslav Askarov recently requesting a trade from the Predators, as he didn't see an opportunity to become the primary goaltender in Nashville after the Preds signed goalie Juuse Saros to an eight-year contract extension this offseason. Drafted 11th overall by the Predators in 2020, Askarov primarily spent the past two seasons in the AHL with the Milwaukee Admirals, posting a 30-13-1 record, six shutouts, a 2.39 GAA, and .911 SV% in 44 games this past season, along with 26 wins, a 2.69 GAA, and a .911 SV% as an AHL rookie during the 2022-23 season. He also has a 1.47 GAA and a .943 SV% in two games with the Predators this past season. In total, Askarov has registered a 2.58 GAA and a .914 SV% in three NHL games with Nashville. In addition, Askarov helped guide the Admirals to the AHL Western Conference Finals for the past two seasons and represented Milwaukee in the AHL All-Star Classic in 2023 and 2024. Soon after this trade was completed, the Sharks signed Askarov to a two-year contract extension worth $4 million ($2 million AAV). He will almost certainly start next season as the Barracuda’s starting goalie in the AHL, but it won’t be long before Askarov earns more opportunities to shine in net at the big league level with Team Teal. 

The other prospect acquired by the Sharks in this blockbuster deal, Nolan Burke, appeared in one game for the Admirals last season along with 47 ECHL games for the Atlanta Gladiators. During those 47 games for the Gladiators last season, Burke recorded five goals and ten assists for 15 points. 

Overall, this trade helps solidify the goaltending position for the Sharks for many years to come and accelerate the Sharks’ rebuild by adding the best goalie prospect in the NHL. I am so grateful the Sharks pounced on this opportunity and didn’t have to give up a king’s ransom in return. This trade is a massive win for San Jose, and I am even more excited for this Sharks team to take further steps in its rebuild and compete for the playoffs once again sooner than later. 

Sources: Sjsharks.com NHL Discussion via Instagram, Multiple sources via X

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Sharks Acquire Cody Ceci from Oilers

 The Sharks and Oilers made a somewhat unexpected trade Sunday night, with San Jose acquiring defenseman Cody Ceci and a 2025 3rd-round pick from Edmonton in exchange for defenseman Ty Emberson. 

This trade occurred so the Oilers could clear some cap space to potentially match recent offer sheets from the St. Louis Blues for forward Dylan Holloway and defenseman Philip Broberg. Ceci is a big, right-shot defenseman who brings an established veteran presence and a well-rounded game to the Sharks blue line, with the penalty kill being one of his greatest strengths. This past season with the Oilers, Ceci recorded five goals and 20 assists for 25 points in 79 games, along with two goals and three assists for five points in 24 Stanley Cup Playoff games. He led all Oilers defensemen in shorthanded time on ice with 205:08 and ranked fourth among team defensemen in time on ice per game with just over 20 minutes. He also ranked third on the Oilers in blocked shots with 106 and sixth in hits with 91, and the 2023-24 season marked Ceci's second season of his career in which he tallied 20 or more assists. In total, Cody Ceci has 48 goals and 163 assists for 211 points in 786 NHL games with the Ottawa Senators, Toronto Maple Leafs, Pittsburgh Penguins, and Edmonton Oilers, along with four goals and 15 assists for 19 points in 88 Stanley Cup Playoff games. 

As for Ty Emberson, he is a younger, cost-controlled option at defense for Edmonton who spent most of the 2023-24 season injured. During the 30 games he appeared in last season for San Jose, Emberson registered one goal, nine assists, and ten points. 

Overall, this trade sort of came out of left field considering it took place on a Sunday night in the middle of August, but it is a rather decent trade that could turn into something special for Team Teal. I understand that the Oilers do not have much draft capital to give up at this time, but I cannot really complain about this deal. 

Sources: Sharks + SAP Center App, Locked on Sharks Podcast 

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Sharks Sign Igor Chernyshov to Entry-Level Contract

 The Sharks have signed their 2024 second-round, 33rd overall pick, Igor Chernyshov, to his entry-level contract. 

Many scouts and analysts claimed that Chernyshov was a draft steal when San Jose selected him with the first pick of the second round in this year's draft. During the 2023-24 season, Chernyshov registered three goals and one assist for four points in 34 games with Dynamo Moscow of the KHL, along with 13 goals and 15 assists for 28 points in 22 games with MHK Dynamo Moscow of the MHL. Signing his ELC guarantees that Chernyshov will be playing in North America next season, but where exactly has yet to be determined. Either Chernyshov will begin the 2024-25 season in the OHL with the Saginaw Spirit or the AHL with the Barracuda. The Spirit own his CHL rights, while the Barracuda are desperate for more scoring and want to get back to the Calder Cup Playoffs as soon as possible. I am curious to see and find out where Igor Chernyshov ends up and how he performs in his first season in North America. 

In other news, Sharks color analyst Bret Hedican announced that he will be leaving the Sharks broadcast booth and joining the San Diego Gulls, the Anaheim Ducks' AHL affiliate, as a player development analyst. Hedi has spent the past ten seasons with the Sharks as a color commentator on both the TV and radio sides, and is one of the best analysts in the industry. He was also previously an NHL defenseman for multiple seasons, with his most notable accomplishment being winning the Stanley Cup as a member of the Carolina Hurricanes in 2006. Hedican's replacement in the Sharks broadcast booth has yet to be announced, but he will be missed by everyone in the Sharks organization and Sharks fans everywhere. 

Sources: Sharks + SAP Center App, San Jose Mercury News

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