A monstrous trade proposal involving the 5th overall pick has just been suggested, and it's sparking a huge reaction

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Elias Edmonson
June 11, 2023 (6:08 PM)

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Several experts have stated that there is a huge difference in talent between the famed top 5 (Connor Bedard, Adam Fantilli, Matvei Michkov, Leo Carlsson, and Will Smith) and the other players in the 2023 draft.

If the Russian prodigy is the last player on this list not to have been selected when Kent Hughes takes the stage, and he doesn't plan to draft him, the Canadiens' general manager might be tempted to move back a few spots.

Furthermore, even though Samuel Montembeault is set for a promising future, there is still no certainty that he will establish himself as a leading goaltender in the NHL. Could Kent Hughes use his first-round pick to acquire the services of a goaltender with extraordinary potential? This is what Charles-Alexis Brisebois suggested on the Dans Les Coulisses website.

If the previously mentioned scenario happens, he suggests that the Canadiens try to acquire the young goaltender Yaroslav Askarov from the Nashville Predators along with the 15th overall pick.

Here is the proposed transaction:

TO MONTREAL:
- Yaroslav Askarov
- 15th overall pick in 2023

TO NASHVILLE:
- 5th overall pick

In the event that the Canadiens do not wish to draft Michkov, this transaction could be very interesting for the organization. Aged 20, Yaroslav Askarov was selected 11th overall in 2020 and is considered one of the best goaltenders not currently in the NHL. The Russian finished the year with an impressive record of 26-16-5, while maintaining a save percentage of 0.911 and a goals against average of 2.69 in the AHL.

In addition, the Canadiens could get their hands on a high-quality prospect at the 15th rank, as players like Colby Barlow, Andrew Cristall, Eduard Sale, and Axel Sandin Pellikka might still be available.

If you were in Kent Hughes's shoes, would you accept this trade?