Sportsnet: Elliotte Friedman on the Jeff Marek Present speaking concerning the Nashville Predators goaltending scenario and in the event that they’d transfer Juuse Saros to present Yaroslav Askarov the online. Who would have an interest?
** NHLRumors.com transcription
Marek: “One of many one of many tales that I’m nonetheless, and I feel loads of us are nonetheless perhaps a little bit bit puzzled by, and I’ll throw type of wildcard title out at you, though now we have heard the title earlier. You understand, you talked about the Nashville Predators and that sport towards the Arizona Coyotes and I feel we’ve regarded on the Preds and type of stated, ‘Okay, what’s Barry Trotz making an attempt to do right here?’
Like there have been. and I used to be considered one of them who reported it final 12 months on the draft that they the Nashville Predators have been making an attempt to rise up increased. Perhaps take a look at somebody like Will Smith, who ended up going to San Jose. Was there a deal probably, between the Preds and the San Jose Sharks, Yaroslav Askarov? The netminder for the Nashville Predators may have been a part of that deal. So then that was by no means denied. And you recognize what which means Elliotte.
However the title Juuse Saros. Like we regarded, you recognize, what number of occasions and what number of telephone calls and what number of conversations did now we have about Juuse Saros and a group just like the Los Angeles Kings final 12 months a commerce deadline. Do you suppose we undergo one other situation this 12 months with Juuse Saros and the Nashville Predators?
We discuss lots concerning the goalie market. A number of it revolves round a participant like Jacob Markstrom for the plain causes. How a lot do you suppose we’ll be speaking about Juuse Saros come March eighth?
Friedman: “Effectively, I feel it’s potential as a result of there’s a pair issues there. You retain, you’re the, you’re the king of the Carl Taylor fan membership proper now. You retain selling him as Milwaukee..”
Marek: “14 video games in a row child.”
Friedman: “Effectively loads of that, and, and the coach, the coach will get the credit score when issues go nicely and it will get the blame when issues go unsuitable. In order that’s true, however loads of guys, you recognize, they obtained a hell of a goalie.
And, you recognize, I feel one of many issues that type of actually occurred with Nashville was, don’t, don’t ask Askarov to do an excessive amount of, proper? Get right into a scenario the place, you recognize, he’s actually prepared for the NHL. Effectively, once you’re having the type of 12 months that man’s having, you recognize, there’s nothing to show within the American Hockey League anymore. So we obtained to clear the trail for him.
Now you recognize, what, what are you able to do? You can also make him the backup or, and that’s potential, however the extra I take a look at this Saros scenario, I see two issues. Primary, I see the Predators, they’re in search of a high offensive participant, and people gamers are laborious to search out, however that’s what they’re in search of. They’re in search of offense.
And, you recognize, Saros is the type of man who can get you some offense. Now, the title Byfield has been thrown round he’s not getting you Quinton Byfield. I simply don’t suppose. I don’t suppose the Kings are doing that.
However there are good offensive gamers on the market. Like one man type of marvel about a little bit bit Jeff is, is a man like (Martin) Necas from from Carolina. And I don’t know if that’s one thing that might occur now. However like that’s type of a participant that I type of, I take a look at and I say ‘okay, is there a match right here that is sensible?’
However the different factor too is, you recognize, Saros contract is up after subsequent 12 months. He can have an extension on July 1st. And I do marvel if Nashville’s that and saying, ‘hey, you recognize, we love Juuse Saros however does this make sense for us?’
And, and I’ve type of marvel about that. I don’t, like no one from Nashville has stated to me, we don’t need to pay that or we don’t need to pay him what he’s price. However I do suppose groups take a look at that. They are saying okay, you recognize, Saros on this deal. Now, what’s his subsequent deal gonna appear like? And what’s that going to imply?
I’ll inform you the group that I come again to with, with any goalie of any title or any reputation in any respect within the market is, you recognize, the group that you simply talked about on the weekend with reference to Jacob Markstrom and that’s the New Jersey Devils. And if you happen to’re in search of…”
Friedman: “Effectively, I’ve to suppose that that’s true. I’ve to suppose you’re proper.
In the event that they’re going at Markstrom, and so they did, they’re desirous about it.”
Marek: “Yeah. I take a look at all of the high-end veteran goaltenders that could possibly be accessible and I simply take a look at New Jersey, and so they have gamers that may rating. They’ve an abundance of youth and established gamers. They’ve first-round draft picks.
I don’t know Elliotte, I, and I do know that, you recognize, technically they’re, you recognize, they’re, they’re not out. It’ll be tough for New Jersey to get in. However nonetheless, if any group when wholesome, you recognize if there’s any group on the market that may go on a run and we noticed that final 12 months, it’s the New Jersey Devils. Particularly if they’ve netminding. I don’t know that one, simply me, to me makes, makes, makes an excessive amount of sense.”
