Not a Nashville fan but assuming they want to move up, maybe a Habs top pick (5-10 range) for Askarov + 2nd rounder? Id imagine that is the starting price

Please don't call us

This would not be enough, the confirmed price during last years draft was 2 first round picks potentially including number 5.

They potentially wanted to move to to grab Smith or Carlsson and were dangling him a bit there. They likely don't want to move him now, no reason whatsoever.

iirc, preds were ready to send 15, 20something oa and Askarov for 5th overall

Because Askarov is not available... or because you just don't like the Habs?...

MTL clearly have the assets that NSH would want (top prospects, high draft picks). If Hughes would be willing to trade them is a different story.

NSH wants a #1 center prospect. MTL does not have one.

I guess it would depend on where the Habs finish this year. but I would consider moving at top 10ish pick if Askarov continues his developmental trend. If Habs have another top 5 pick. I just don't see MTL moving it.

yeah habs wouldnt trade down, they would just send like a 1st and a couple seconds w a prospect like Beck if it came down to it

Everybody wants a top line Center, even if teams already have them... they'll want more. And if MTL finally had one, they wouldn't move them either. And if the last draft was any indication, Askarov just doesn't cut it to get other teams to budge to move one.

So with that being said, with the obvious #1 Center not being available. would there be anything else that NSH would want? Or is it #1C or keep him, period?

Askarov was an 11OA pick, who has more value now than when he was drafted, in NSH's eyes. It's possible NSH could trade him for a high enough draft pick - say 5-6OA or something - if a player NSH wanted even more than Askarov was available at that point. Like you said, MTL likely wouldn't do that, and I don't see NSH trading their prospect away after three years of patience, development, etc for a 1st in that 10-11OA range and some lesser pieces.

Those are fair points. But again, the 2023 draft being proof, teams just don't move those top 5 picks for a top goalie prospect (and Askarov and Wallstedt are arguably the best ones on the market).

Take the Habs for example, Bergevin searched for literally a decade for a trade partner to get a young Center. and when he finally found one (Vegas wanting Pacioretty), he still couldn't pry his preferred choice (Cody Glass being a 6th overall pick) and had to "settle" for lesser prospect that was picked 13th overall (Suzuki). You can say it was luck or development or maybe a bit of both, that Suzuki ended up being the better player at the end of the day. But it was still something the Habs settled for.
Now I'm not comparing the Pacioretty scenario 1to1 with a potential Askarov trade. it's that teams legit don't move top 5 picks.

Maybe the better comparison would be Schneider to NJ for Horvat, but again it was 9th overall pick, and Schneider already had an NHL pedigree.

The real question is what Trotz want. Report last summer said he wanted to trade up to get Reinbacher and that's why KH rejected a deal.

So to answer your question, since Reinbacher/Ghule arent going anywhere, the price would MTL 2024 1st round pick IF Preds are interested in a high prospect still available. Depending on the rank, Nashville would add a sweetener (low 1st and/or a 2nd).

NSH was looking to trade up for a high end forward (a center preferably, but Michkov would definitely have held interest for NSH too).

Reinbacher wasn't their target. If he was, they likely would have taken the best RD available with their 15OA pick (Sandin Pellikka) instead of Wood.

So MTL doesn't have/wouldn't trade what NSH would want for Askarov. NSH keeps their best prospect, and both GMs go on with the rest of their day.

100%, I legitimately think there's a deal to be had between the two teams. A lot will depend on where MTL picks in the draft. The counter argument is let's say the Habs pick 11th overall, and there's a Center available... Does Hughes realistically move the pick for a goalie.... I just don't see it. He probably just picks the Center.

Unless there is a crazy top line center projected to go around 2-5, Nashville won't move Askarov. Trotz wanted one of Michkov/Smith which is why he tried to target picks 4 and 5.

Possible. So the question is : Would MTL trade down from it next 1st round pick if a high end foward is available to get a goalie? 100% they wouldn't IMO.

I hate to have to repeat myself, but...

I think the point being made here is that there's zero teams that would have/would trade what you're describing for a goalie prospect. It's never happened. The only close comparison being the NJ Schneider trade. And Askarov isn't close to that (yet).

Obviously there's no rush to deal him. but expecting a #1 Center or a top 5 pick for him is just unrealistic. Unless Trotz can make NHL history and be the first to do it lol

I wasn't suggesting a #1 center, but a prospect with that kind of ceiling. You asked what would NSH would need to in exchange for their best prospect, and that's the answer. The Preds have no reason to trade him unless they're getting something they need more than a future franchise goalie. If MTL also feels they would value that level of center prospect (if they had one, or were in a position to draft one) more than Askarov too, bully for them.

There's zero pressure on NSH to trade Askarov, so there's no reason for them to accept whatever pieces a team that wants him feels comfortable giving up.

I meant a #1 center prospect as well, sorry if that wasn't clear. Those prospects a very few and far between, and they just don't get traded (which is why I used the example of the Habs wanting Cody Glass but having to "settle" for Suzuki+). The literal closest example off it happening is the NJ Schneider trade for Horvat.

As you mentioned, there's no rush. but if NSH is committing to Saros for the future (they may not, who knows in 2 years), Askarov is their best asset to filling out their roster.