The Nashville Predators signed goalie Iaroslav Askarov, who spent much of last season with the VHL’s SKA Neva Saint Petersburg, to an ELC today.
The three-year deal starts this upcoming season and will give the Predators some much-needed organizational depth in net. Askarov, who turns 20 this offseason, will presumably start off with the Milwaukee Admirals. He wasn't given many chances in the KHL—the top-tier team in Russia to the VHL’s second-tier team—and his VHL starts were sometimes bumpy as he was rarely tested.
A stint in Milwaukee, and more regular starts with an organization devoted to his development and able to give him work, should be good for Askarov.