Canadiens Advised To Stiff-Arm Predators In Potential Trade

The Nashville Predators will have to deal with a little bit of a situation in net entering the season after backup netminder Yaroslav Askarov asked for a trade before the start of the preseason.

ESPN's Kevin Weekes reported Askarov's trade request on August 19 , and the news has fostered a whole world of fantastic scenarios put together by NHL analysts naming potential suitors for the disgruntled youngster, including Marc Dumont of Montreal Hockey Now .

Dumont speculates on the possibility of the Montreal Canadiens entering the fray for Askarov, touching on the pros and cons of such a move.

"For the time being, (Canadiens 'goaltenders) Samuel Montembeault and Cayden Primeau are well positioned to carry the goaltending load for the Habs, giving top prospect Jacob Fowler enough time to ply his trade in the NCAA before making his NHL debut," Dumont argued. "At no point in the process could you identify goaltending as a weakness, connoting that the Askarov trade route is unlike to run through Montreal, where goalies with potential are bountiful."

That said, Dumont acknowledged there is at least some interest from Montreal and Nashville's sides considering both franchises have gotten in touch with each other in the past.

"The clues that Askarov’s future in Nashville was coming to an end were already available as the Predators attempted to trade him to various teams at the last two NHL Entry Drafts," Dumont wrote. "The Canadiens were one of the teams that were approached by the Predators."

Following Askarov's reported trade request, Predators General Manager Barry Trotz issued a statement attempting to retain some leverage in trade negotiations by saying the franchise expects the goalie to report to training camp in September, via TSN .

"We are aware of the report today, and our expectation is for the player to report to training camp and compete for a job in September," Trotz said on August 19.

Related: Predators' Yaroslav Askarov Price Revealed as Canadiens Get Linked