Breaking: The Los Angeles Kings And The Nashville Predators Have Reached An Agreement to swap…..See more

Once again, rumors are swirling about the Nashville Predators and the Los Angeles Kings. For the Predators’ promising young goaltender Yaroslav Askarkov, specifically. Nashville will almost certainly trade Askarov in order to acquire some assets they require more of, as Juuse Saros has been signed to an eight-year contract. A future goalkeeper is a must-have for the Kings. “The Kings went and acquired Erik Portillo from the Buffalo Sabres in March of 2023, and he looks promising,” my Predators colleague Rob Couch said.

Askarov, on the other hand, appears to be NHL-ready, while Portillo still has a few years to go. He has already proven to the Milwaukee Admirals of the American Hockey League that he is capable of playing at a higher level this season. To seal the deal, would the Kings part with a promising young player? Brandt Clarke is the first player that springs to mind; he is a talented young defenseman with the potential to play a long and fruitful career in the National Hockey League.

The acquisition of Askarov might cost the Kings a pretty penny, even more than Clarke. Depending on the asking price established by the Predators, they may be able to bundle Jakub Dvorak and Arthur Kaliyev into a deal if they are willing to part with some draft money.

Regardless, the Kings will reach out to Barry Trotz and the Predators to get their thoughts, much like a lot of other NHL teams. However, Rob Blake might have to trade a top defenseman if he wants the young, talented goalie.