While the summer might have seemed a little quiet for the Nashville Predators between their big splash in free agency and trading Cody Glass, rumors about Yaroslav Askarov being moved have started to pick back up.
Rumors of the Predators trading their top goalie prospect started after Juuse Saros was signed to an eight-year deal, seemingly eliminating the future starting chance in Nashville for many years for Askarov. A trade appears to be inevitable and is a smart move at this point for the Predators as the trade value of their top prospect is high and he is in high demand around the league.
Who wouldn’t want a strong goalie prospect who is just about ready to step into the NHL if goaltending is at all in question?
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That being said, Elliotte Friedman spoke about the asking price for Askarov on 32 Thoughts: The Podcast, saying “they’re looking for either an established NHL player that makes sense to acquire for Askarov or another high ceiling prospect that is not a goalie. A forward or a defense, that’s what the Predators are looking for.”
So when it comes to teams that have the need and ability to pull off a trade like this, the Montreal Canadiens rank fairly high. The need is a little less even though the future remains uncertain for Cayden Primeau and Jacob Fowler, but Sam Montembeault is signed for just three more years and isn’t being paid starter money. There is no long-term commitment and the Canadiens have to be sure they are set in all areas if they want to become a Stanley Cup contender in the next handful of years.
Ideally, the Predators could get a skilled young center who could eventually take over a top-6 spot, but at the same time the Canadiens can offer would be an option between that and a high-end young defenseman.
Players like Kaiden Guhle, Lane Hutson, and David Reinbacher are going nowhere, but Logan Mailloux may very well be an option. If the Predators are more interested in forwards, Owen Beck is potentially the top option, but Joshua Roy and Michaal Hage aren’t bad options either, even though there would have to be more attached to make a trade fair.
The Predators knew what was playing out before their eyes and signed Scott Wedgewood to a two-year deal. While it didn’t seem like Nashville was in any rush to trade Askarov and will have him play another season in the AHL, it is looking like one way or another he is going to be dealt before the end of next season, potentially before even playing another game for the Predators.
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