This summer, before the draft, we heard a rumor that was later confirmed. The Predators and their GM, Barry Trotz, had offered to trade their future number-one goaltender Yaroslav Askarov, as well as the 15th and 24th picks, to the Habs for the CH's 5th pick. According to Georges Laraque, Askarov is still available and Kent Hughes must do everything in his power to get him. Here's an excerpt from a conversation between him and Gonzo on BPM Sports: <q>Askarov is a future number 1 goalie. If you've already got your number 1 goalkeeper, there's no point in keeping Askarov. You have to pay him. That's why this summer, they offered him to all the teams to go lower in the draft to get a pick faster. They wanted a spectacular pick. Gonzo, he's definitely available, there are so many teams that need goalies. You know what Gonzo means? It means the Habs have no choice but to go out and get him. There's no more talk, we've got to go get him. With Askarov and Montembeault, the next ten years in net, you're okay. - Georges Laraque</q> Askarov is only 21 years old and has two years left on his NHL entry-level contract, while not being eligible for the ballot. He has played just one game on the Bettman circuit, against the Canadiens. Kent Hughes has what it takes to acquire a player of Askarov's calibre. He's not accustomed to paying a lot of money in transactions, but if he wants to improve the team considerably, he'll have to end up paying too. <div align='center'><blockquote class='twitter-tweet' data-lang='en'><a href='https://twitter.com/BPMSportsRadio/status/1710345868388286776?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1710345868388286776%7Ctwgr%5Ecaa0653bdf83feac7b09a003d24b3748d718cd56%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.habsetlnh.com%2Fpredateurs-de-nashville%2FEchange-majeur-entre-le-Canadien-de-Montreal-et-Nashville-impliquant-le-gardien-Yaroslav-Askarov-Ca-vient-tout-juste-detre-reclame-sur-les-ondes-de-BPM-Sport'> </a></blockquote></div>