Canadiens Technically Missed On Askarov, But Did They Really? – Hockey Writers –

The Montreal Canadiens may be interested in San Jose Sharks goaltender Yaroslav Askarov, according to reports. However, the level they were in is unknown… kind of like Askarov himself, to the point that losing the chance of a top goalkeeper is not the end of the world.

Askarov is the Undeniable Top Goaltending Prospect

Just so there is no room for misunderstanding: Askarov is a well-known talent on the net. Leaving him out of any list of top NHL goaltending prospects would be an unforgivable sin. However, goaltenders have development cycles that are notoriously unpredictable. Canadiens great Carey Price, who was the fifth overall pick in 2007, is one of the exceptions and not the rule when it comes to highly drafted goalies coming out.

For the record, no goalkeeper has been ranked higher than Askarov, who finished 11th in 2020, since then. So, he was highly regarded at the time and little has changed over the past four years, evidenced by the price the Sharks paid to acquire him. The Nashville Predators get forward David Edstrom (drafted 32nd overall in 2023), goaltender Magnus Chrona (drafted No. 152 in 2018) and a conditional 2025 first-round pick (of ECHL player Nolan Burke and third – rotating selection in 2025).

However, it’s hard to assess how Askarov’s game will translate to the NHL (he’s gone 1-1 in three NHL appearances so far with a 2.57 goals-against average and a .914 save percentage). So, in a way, the Canadiens should be completely satisfied with the depth of their organization right now, headlined by Jacob Fowler, who may have been selected all the way in the third round in 2023 (No. 69), but the levels are just below. Askarov according to at least one NHL expert (from the ‘Top 20 ranked NHL goaltending prospects,’ AthleticJuly 17, 2024).

Hughes’ Smooth Offseason Moves

Of course, Askarov continues his development. Even if the aforementioned rate is evangelical and Fowler is worse than he is, you can’t (shouldn’t) blame general manager Kent Hughes for asking, especially following the acquisition of forward Patrik Laine, who is undoubtedly on the rise. the team’s timeline for competing in a major playoff spot.

The Laine acquisition is the most important here, not because the two are somehow connected or because both players have made trade requests. Like Laine, when a player of that (theoretical) caliber becomes available, it’s Hughes’ responsibility to at least make a phone call to find out what it might cost and decide if it’s worth it.

One can only guess what those costs were/would be. Likely, it would have been the same as what the Sharks paid, namely, two first-round picks…which seems like a lot for an unproven player (as there are few such prospects, to be fair), especially if the Canadiens have Fowler. Hell, it probably involved Fowler himself, which might, through a certain lens, make sense. However, it would arguably defeat the purpose of playing the goalie lottery as the Canadiens have done, buying as many tickets as possible, hoping at least one turns out to be an official starter.

Therefore, in that hypothetical situation, a quasi-lateral movement would be effective. And, at that point, he’s just making a trade for the sake of keeping up appearances, and that doesn’t seem to be Hughes’ style. Not only did he make the trade to improve the Canadiens only, but, when he just got Laine (and drafted Ivan Demidov), Habs fans are in little danger of calling his head on the pike for nothing gained. that respect.

Related: Ranking Canadiens GM Hughes’ Best Positions Ahead of 2023 Deadline

It’s possible that, five years from now, Canadiens fans look back at reports of the team’s interest in Askarov and imagine what could have been, if he had become a star (and Fowler wasn’t). However, based on what little information has been leaked, it is impossible to calculate a) how close they were to getting Askarov instead of the Sharks and b) how interested they were to begin with.

Canadiens Should Bet on Fowler

As mentioned before, Hughes had to at least ask. For that reason, Canadiens fans shouldn’t take this question, no matter how serious, as a vote of no confidence in the team’s goaltending as it stands now. Granted, it would be a shock if fantasy starter Samuel Montembeault developed into anything other than an average NHL goaltender at 28 years old. Cayden Primeau remains a question mark at 25 years old.

However, many have turned them down at various points over the past few seasons to break out and prove themselves at the NHL level (to varying degrees). Well, Hughes himself extended former first baseman Jake Allen to what turned out to be one of the team’s worst contracts entering last season, because he didn’t expect Montembeault to snap him up like he did.

Ironically, Hughes traded Allen to the Devils at the trade deadline with one year left on his deal. It’s not just that the Devils then turn around and continue to bolster their goals with a legitimate trade-No. 1 Jacob Markstrom, but, based on reports, they were in on Askarov again… proving you can never have too many goals. However, sometimes it’s best to bet on the Devil you know.