Maple Leafs linked to Nashville Predators star goaltender

The article mentions several teams including the Chicago Blackhawks, Montreal Canadiens, San Jose Sharks, Utah Hockey Club are all possible destinations but one mentioned is the Toronto Maple Leafs.

The Maple Leafs decided earlier this summer that Joseph Woll and Anthony Stolarz hard to be the tandem to guide Toronto this year. Many Toronto fans and some pundits have been weary and some downright skeptical that this is the right fit for the team that is trying to win.

Add in Askarov and it's certainly makes for an intriguing case. Woll Is the first homegrown goaltender Leafs have had since Felix Potvin while many feel that Askarov is ready for a full time NHL gig; and he has told the Nashville Predators that he has no desire to return to the AHL. With Scott Wedgewood signed as the backup goaltender to Juuse Saros, Askarov appears to be the odd man out.

Bringing him into Leafs Nation would make him the instant star and would have Woll as part of the tandem. General manager Brad Treliving if interested would need to package a few players and potential draft picks to Nashville to acquire Askarov. One player in particular would-be Nick Robertson as he has expressed a trade request himself earlier this summer.

The likelihood of a trade this size and this meaningful certainly remains to be seen. Acquiring this talent would give Maple Leafs fans ease knowing that this goaltender would be with them for the foreseeable future and would cost hardly anything financially for the next few years as he is a restricted free agent.

Source: The Hockey News