Askarov offered in a trade with the Canadiens?

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Carl Vaillancourt
August 17, 2024 (3:23 PM)

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In addition to Columbus Blue Jackets forward Patrik Laine, the name of young Russian goaltender Yaroslav Askarov has recently resurfaced in trade rumors.

The Nashville Predators already have two NHL-level goalies, including star goaltender Juuse Saros. Askarov's place as the Predators' backup goalie is far from guaranteed, and his value might be enticing for the team.

For Askarov's agent, it seems that his client does not want to return to the American Hockey League. This situation would be unacceptable for Askarov's camp.

With the statistics he has accumulated, there isn't much left for him to prove in the Predators' farm team.

Marc-Olivier Beaudoin Weighs in on the Yaroslav Askarov Situation
It is known that the young goaltender was offered in a trade to the Montreal Canadiens during the 2023 draft.

Yaroslav Askarov was indeed offered to the Montreal Canadiens.

Could these discussions resume between Montreal and Nashville?

The excellent Marc-Olivier Beaudoin believes that this could be a bold move for General Manager Kent Hughes. Askarov is still seen as a top-tier goaltending prospect.

Canadiens' prospect Jacob Fowler and the team's current number one goaltender, Samuel Montembeault, are expected to be part of the team's plans in the medium term. Would the arrival of a goaltender like Askarov change the organization's plans? After all, a dominant goalie can give you a chance to win every game.

And Askarov could really be a special goaltender He might become an Andrei Vasilevskiy or an Igor Shesterkin. He's highly regarded in hockey circles!

If Kent Hughes can find a trade offer that makes sense for his team, why not? If it doesn't materialize, it's not the end of the world either!

At 22 years old, Yaroslav Askarov is a young right-handed goaltender standing 6 feet 3 inches tall and weighing 178 pounds.

Selected 11th overall in the 2020 draft, Askarov made a name for himself in the AHL in 2023-2024. He posted a record of 30 wins and 13 losses last season in the American Hockey League.

In two NHL games, he maintained a 1.47 goals-against average and a .943 save percentage. He has shown promising potential and could be very attractive to several teams.

A goaltender of this caliber is rarely available on the market, and the price to acquire him would be significant.