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 somewhat bit puzzled by, and I’ll throw form of wildcard identify out at you, though we have now heard the identify earlier. You understand, you talked about the Nashville Predators and that recreation in opposition to the Arizona Coyotes and I feel we’ve appeared on the Preds and type of stated, ‘Okay, what’s Barry Trotz attempting to do right here?’
Like there have been. and I used to be one in every of them who reported it final 12 months on the draft that they the Nashville Predators have been attempting to stand up increased. Perhaps have 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 realize what meaning Elliotte.
However the identify Juuse Saros. Like we appeared, you realize, what number of occasions and what number of cellphone calls and what number of conversations did we have now about Juuse Saros and a staff just like the Los Angeles Kings final 12 months a commerce deadline. Do you assume we undergo one other state of affairs this 12 months with Juuse Saros and the Nashville Predators?
We speak lots concerning the goalie market. Plenty of it revolves round a participant like Jacob Markstrom for the plain causes. How a lot do you assume we’ll be speaking about Juuse Saros come March eighth?
Friedman: “Effectively, I feel it’s doable 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 properly and it will get the blame when issues go fallacious. In order that’s true, however loads of guys, you realize, they obtained a hell of a goalie.
And, you realize, 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 realize, he’s actually prepared for the NHL. Effectively, whenever you’re having the type of 12 months that man’s having, you realize, there’s nothing to show within the American Hockey League anymore. So we obtained to clear the trail for him.
Now you realize, what, what are you able to do? You can also make him the backup or, and that’s doable, however the extra I have a look at this Saros scenario, I see two issues. Primary, I see the Predators, they’re searching for a high offensive participant, and people gamers are laborious to search out, however that’s what they’re searching for. They’re searching for offense.
And, you realize, Saros is the type of man who can get you some offense. Now, the identify Byfield has been thrown round he’s not getting you Quinton Byfield. I simply don’t assume. I don’t assume the Kings are doing that.
However there are good offensive gamers on the market. Like one man type of marvel about somewhat bit Jeff is, is a man like (Martin) Necas from from Carolina. And I don’t know if that’s one thing that will occur now. However like that’s type of a participant that I type of, I have a look at and I say ‘okay, is there a match right here that is sensible?’
However the different factor too is, you realize, Saros contract is up after subsequent 12 months. He can have an extension on July 1st. And I do marvel if Nashville’s taking a look at that and saying, ‘hey, you realize, 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 assume groups have a look at that. They are saying okay, you realize, Saros on this deal. Now, what’s his subsequent deal gonna appear to be? And what’s that going to imply?
I’ll let you know the staff that I come again to with, with any goalie of any identify or any reputation in any respect within the market is, you realize, the staff that you simply talked about on the weekend with reference to Jacob Markstrom and that’s the New Jersey Devils. And in case you’re searching for…”
Friedman: “Effectively, I’ve to assume that that’s true. I’ve to assume you’re proper.
In the event that they’re going at Markstrom, they usually did, they’re serious about it.”
Marek: “Yeah. I have a look at all of the high-end veteran goaltenders that might be out there and I simply have a look at New Jersey, they usually 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 realize, technically they’re, you realize, they’re, they’re not out. It’ll be troublesome for New Jersey to get in. However nonetheless, if any staff when wholesome, you realize if there’s any staff 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.”
