The Daily: Why Sharks Are Thrilled With Askarov; Kasper Surging

Sheng Peng of San Jose Hockey Now offers an insightful look at four reasons why the Sharks’ trade for goalie prospect Yaroslav Askarov is a windfall for the organizations.

Read the Askarov analysis here:

Teams don’t usually trade prospects who are nationally ranked No. 1 at their position .

To get Askarov,  a 2025 third-round pick and prospect Nolan Burke, the Predators gave up top center prospect David Edstrom, a 2025 first-round pick (top-10 protected via the Vegas Golden Knights), and young netminder Magnus Chrona.

“It’s true that goaltending can be hard to predict,” Peng wrote. “There’s also a reason why the Predators opted to extend veteran star Juuse Saros for eight years instead of hitching their wagon to 22-year-old Askarov. But every league source that I’ve spoken with privately about Askarov — at least a half-dozen executives, scouts, and agents — all agree that the 2020 No. 11 pick is a special talent.”

Red Wings In Case You Missed It

Are Jake Walman and Yaroslav Askarov on the San Jose Sharks today because of the NHL’s conservative culture? Bob Duff explores whether these players were traded because their teams didn’t like their efforts to be colorful performers.

The Detroit Red Wings are mourning the loss of former team masseur Sergei Mnatskanov. DHN reminds readers about Mnatsakanov’s story.

The Detroit Red Wings are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of former team masseur Sergei Mnatsakanov. Sergei was a member of the 1997 Stanley Cup Championship team that brought the first Stanley Cup to Hockeytown in 42 years.

Our heartfelt condolences go out to his wife,… pic.twitter.com/AaPYjJjM4X

— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) August 24, 2024

Paywall story: Marco Kasper scored the only goals in Austria’s 2-1 win against Slovenia in a warm-up game for an Olympic qualifying tournament. If you need to subscribe to read this story, click here.

Red Wings Offseason

It’s still the offseason in North America. But European hockey is underway.  Make sure follow Detroit Red Wings Prospects on the social media site formerly known as Twitter. It’s Detroit Hockey Now’s favorite site for Detroit prospect video. Today, DRP offers us a video of a Michael Brandsegg-Nygard goal.

Michael Brandsegg-Nygård (1st round’24) with an absolute rip 🚨 #LGRW pic.twitter.com/Gb3FJWmTaA

— Red Wings Prospects (@LGRWProspects) August 24, 2024

Hockey Now Network

Philadelphia: Columnist Sam Carchidi offers thoughts and observation about the Flyers as training camp approaches. Philadelphia Flyers.

New Jersey: NHN offers a list of the top American-born player in Devils’ history. New Jersey Devils. 

Washington: Nathan Moser writes that Matt Roy is a significant addition to the Washington defense. Washington Capitals.