Maple Leafs with a chance to solidify goaltending future as top prospect requests to be moved

It's been evident for years the Toronto Maple Leafs have had their issues finding consistency in net, bouncing through a bevy of netminders before entrusting youngster Joseph Woll and signing veteran backup Anthony Stolarz to mend the crease. But one intriguing name has suddenly popped up out of nowhere, and Toronto has the pieces needed to pull him in.

NHL Insider and former goaltender Kevin Weekes posted a surprise update on X regarding the future of Yaroslav Askarov; Nashville's elite goaltending prospect:

Askarov looks like he wants nothing to do with the minors, and knows he can prove himself at the NHL level; he's not going to report to the Predators' AHL affiliate, and wants out. With Nashville keeping Juuse Saros and signing veteran Scott Wedgewood as insurance, Askarov was on the outside looking in, through no fault of his own though.

Having impressed in his only three NHL games with Nashville, it would seem a lock to utilize the netminder but clearly that was not the case. He registered a 2.57 GAA and .914 save percentage over three games, and was sensational for the AHL affiliate Milwaukee Admirals having a 30-13-1 record with a 2.39 GAA and a .911 save percentage.

Toronto certainly has the capital, and could easily send one of their many goaltenders in the system back, or possibly persuade Nashville to dump Askarov in exchange for the first crack at RFA Nick Robertson, but if they don't at least try to field an offer; they could miss out on yet another elite goaltender.

Source: HockeyDB
Yaroslav Askarov Statistics