Maple Leafs listed as potential landing spot for elite goaltending prospect

Earlier this week, Askarov shocked the hockey world when he requested a trade out of Nashville, following a summer in which the Predators extended starting netminder Juuse Saros and signed veteran goaltender Scott Wedgewood, leaving Askarov with the Milwaukee Admirals as his most likely destination next season.

Widely considered one of the best goaltending prospects outside of the NHL, Askarov posted a combined 1.47 GAA and .943 SV% in a 2-game trial with the Predators last season. Needless to say, the Preds are going to have a ton of interest if GM Barry Trotz does decide to listen to offers on the 22-year-old Askarov.

On Monday, we touched on the Maple Leafs perhaps being intrigued by the rare opportunity to nab an elite young goalie to solidify their future in goal. Now, The Hockey News' Tony Ferrari mentions the Leafs as a potential candidate to land Askarov, revealing some of the pieces they have that they can use to make it happen.

Ferrari mentioned in a recent article (which is linked at the bottom of this piece), that the Leafs could opt to use some combination of Timothy Liljegren, Nick Robertson, Easton Cowan, Fraser Minten and Topi Niemela as the potential groundwork for a trade with Nashville for Askarov. Again -- not all of these players, but a potential package including one or more of them.

Ferrari also mentioned the Chicago Blackhawks, Montreal Canadiens, San Jose Sharks and Utah Hockey Club as additional options for Nashville.

Source: The Hockey News
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