Nashville Predators GM Barry Trotz was adamant on getting back a top center prospect in any trade involving goaltender Yaroslav Askarov.

Fortunately for him, the San Jose Sharks had arguably the deepest pool of centers in the NHL and a burning need to upgrade in net.

In addition to the Vegas Golden Knights’ 2025 first-round pick, the Sharks sent the Predators 19-year-old center David Edstrom and 24-year-old goaltender Magnus Chrona in exchange for Askarov last week.

While I believe Trotz did the best with what he was given — he took a highly regarded former first-round pick at a position of strength made by his predecessor David Poile and flipped him for a player with upside at a position of need and landed a third selection in Round 1 of the 2025 draft — I believe Trotz could’ve done better.