3 Potential Trade Destinations for Predators' Yaroslav Askarov

Earlier this week, Kevin Weekes confirmed Nashville Predators goaltender Yaroslav Askarov has asked for a trade as he's slated to start the season in the AHL and the former first-round pick has no interest in doing so.

Predators general manager Barry Trotz confirmed they received the request and are still expecting Askarov to attending training camp in a month and compete for an NHL job next season. He'll have to beat out veteran backup Scott Wedgewood, who signed a two-year $3 million deal earlier this offseason.

Askarov has no intentions of riding the bus again next season and after a 30-13-1 season with the Milwaukee Admirals, the Russian netminder wants NHL minutes. Here's where Askarov could wind up being traded:

Montreal Canadiens

The Canadiens are savvy when it comes to trades, just like what went down between the Columbus Blue Jackets and GM Kent Hughes as not only did they land Patrik Laine, they also landed a second-round pick. The Canadiens have carried three goalies in the past and if they don't send Samuel Montembeault or Cayden Primeau in the trade, adding Askarov certainly isn't out of the picture. He'd be their best goalie prospect since Carey Price and would fit right in with the young core being built in Montreal.

San Jose Sharks

The Sharks are rebuilding and have a very young nucleus that's ready to get their feet wet this season and adding Askarov would give them a stud to build around in the crease. The team has Mackenzie Blackwood and Vitek Vanecek signed for next season, however both only have one year left on their contract and neither is considered a franchise cornerstone. Askarov has the potential to be an NHL all-star and the Sharks have shown in the past they aren't afraid of a bold trade.

Colorado Avalanche

The Avalanche aren't sold on Alexandar Georgiev and adding a Russian counterpart and someone they can build a tandem around could be a recipe for success. The Avs have Justus Annunen who could be included in the deal and considering Georgiev has just one season left on his contract, Askarov has a real chance to take the net and run with it for years to come. Colorado has been in dyer need of some consistent goaltending, adding potentially the best goalie outside the NHL could be a great place to start.

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