Nashville Predators Call Up Top Prospect

The Nashville Predators have called up Yaroslav Askarov to their NHL roster due to Kevin Lankinen being sidelined. In a corresponding move, Roland McKeown has been sent back down to the AHL.

Although this Askarov call-up is expected to be a short-term one, it is certainly noteworthy to see the top prospect joining Nashville. The 2020 first-round pick is expected to be a long-term part of the Predators' roster and has all the potential to form a fantastic tandem with Juuse Saros. Now, we could get our first look at him at the NHL level - if he gets into action, of course. In 22 games this season with the Milwaukee Admirals, he has a 2.66 goals-against average to go along with a .905 save percentage.

On the other hand, McKeown has spent much of this season bouncing between the NHL and AHL. This is the card that is dealt to depth defenseman, and now McKeown is heading back to Milwaukee because of it. In five appearances this season with Nashville, he has zero points and an even rating. 

photo credit: © Dave Kallmann / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK