NHL Trade Rumors: Predators Barry Trotz Opens Up On Potential Saros Trade This Summer

The New Jersey Devils and Nashville Predators had some frank and honest discussions about a Juuse Saros trade back at the deadline. Predators GM Barry Trotz has opened up on the subject, and says he "absolutely" expects those talks to pick up once again this summer, per Ryan Novozinsky of NJ.com. 

And according to Trotz, his long-standing relationship and respect for Devils GM Tom Fitzgerald—who served as his veteran captain in his first NHL coaching gig in Nashville over 25 years ago—is a big part of it. 

(Our trade discussions) were quite honest and direct. I told him exactly what I was looking for and he told me exactly what he was willing to give up. That was sort of it. There wasn't any dance there. It's two people that respect each other. Unfortunately, we weren't able to do anything, but that's not to say that we won't.

Fitzgerald has already said he plans to go "big game hunting" for a goalie for the Devils this coming offseason, so it's natural that those talks would continue. But Trotz (perhaps trying to keep a leg up in negotiations   on his former player) says he has "no problem staying status quo." 

That 'status' would be an embarrassment of riches between the pipes. In addition to one of the game's best in Saros, who still has one more year left on his contract, the Preds also boast one of the top goaltending prospects in the sport, Yaroslav Askarov (who's posted a 26-13-1 record in the AHL this season with a .914 save percentage and 2.31 goals against, while owning a .943 Sv% and 1.47 GAA in two games with Nashville). It certainly makes sense that they would entertain a deal for Saros at the right price.

"We are always willing to listen, but we also really like our goaltending," concluded Trotz.

Saros has played a league-high 61 games this year, sporting a 34-23-4 mark with a .908 Sv% and a 2.80 GAA. He's been a Top 3 finisher in voting for the Vezina Trophy in each of the previous three seasons. 

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