Will the Canadiens pursue a scoring forward? Will the Blue Jackets try to acquire Predators goalie Yaroslav Askarov? Check out the latest in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.
THE MONTREAL GAZETTE: Stu Cowan was asked by a reader how many seasons he thinks it’ll take for the Canadiens to make the playoffs and win a round or two.
He replied that the current roster will have a difficult time making the playoffs in 2024-25. He believes they lack sufficient offense from their forwards. Promising prospect winger Ivan Demidov is at least a year away from joining the Canadiens as he completes his KHL contract.
Montreal Canadiens general manager Kent Hughes (NHL.com).
Cowan believes Canadiens general manager Kent Hughes will make a trade to bring in a top-six forward before the start of the regular season. He noted Hughes’ discussions with unrestricted free agent winger Jonathan Marchessault but he was unwilling to give the veteran forward a long-term contract.
Hughes could make a trade for a younger top-six forward or one with the potential to become one, or a veteran forward with two or three years remaining on his contract.
Cowan believes adding a scoring forward could help the Canadiens make the playoffs next season. However, he thinks management’s long-term goal is more focused on that happening in the following season (2025-26).
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Canadiens have been linked to Carolina’s Martin Necas, Anaheim’s Trevor Zegras, and Columbus’ Patrik Laine in the rumor mill. Whether Hughes attempted to acquire one of them is anyone’s guess.
The Canadiens have depth in draft picks and promising young defensemen to draw on for trade bait. Whoever Hughes pursues, he won’t overpay to get them if his previous acquisitions are anything to go by.
THE HOCKEY NEWS: Jason Newland observed that Nashville Predators goaltender Yaroslav Askarov might be available. Questions arose about the 22-year-old’s future after the Predators signed Juuse Saros to an eight-year contract extension and signed free-agent backup Scott Wedgewood.
It’s rumored Askarov might be available. During the draft, a trade for a top-five pick couldn’t be worked out. It’s believed the asking price was an “established NHL player, or a prospect with a high ceiling.”
Newland wondered if Predators GM Barry Trotz would entertain an offer from the Columbus Blue Jackets of winger Kent Johnston and goalie Daniil Tarasov.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: There’s no indication from the Askarov camp that the promising netminder wants a trade. As things stand, he could start the season with the Predators’ AHL affiliate in Milwaukee, though the argument can be made that he’s got nothing further to gain from playing there.
We don’t know if Blue Jackets GM Don Waddell would pursue Askarov. Nevertheless, it wouldn’t hurt to explore the possibility. Other clubs will certainly be interested.