“I heard the Predators wanted Owen Beck”

The Yaroslav Askarov file caused a lot of talk this summer. The goalie, who is a top prospect, requested a trade from the Nashville Predators because the club extended its association with Juuse Saros and because the plan was to send the Russian to the AHL.

Ultimately, his wish was granted and instead of going to Milwaukee, Askarov will go to San Jose.

We know that several teams were in the field, including the Montreal Canadiens. And we know that once Jacob Fowler’s name was raised by Barry Trotz, Kent Hughes said no thanks.

Does this mean that Kent Hughes is definitely looking for a goalie? Not in my eyes.

What that tells me is that the Canadiens management saw an opportunity to improve their situation in front of the net and explored it. It didn’t work and we move on to another call.

What made it not work was undoubtedly the price demanded by the Preds.

After all, if Pierre LeBrun is right AND Craig Button is also right, we see that Nashville required at least two big elements against the Russian goalkeeper: Fowler… and Owen Beck.

I heard the Predators are asking for Owen Beck. – Craig Button at Tony Marinaro’s Sick Podcast

What’s also interesting is that Button has come a long way on the Fowler file. And without contradicting LeBrun, he wondered why the Nashville club wanted a goalkeeper like him when Saros is signed long-term.

His point? If Fowler looks at the whole thing and sees his path to Nashville being blocked, he just needs to stay in college and become a free agent in three years (thus not signing his entry contract) to avoid getting caught behind the Preds’ elite guard.

So he doesn’t understand why Barry Trotz wanted him.

In my eyes, you’re going to look for the best value and if he’s ready to become a #1 goalie in five years, you trade Fowler (or Saros, if the situation indicates) at this point. But I also see his point.

Remember that Beck, who Button did not want to see go against Askarov last month, has a good reputation in Montreal. He looks good in camp and I wouldn’t be surprised to see him play games in Montreal in 2024-25.

I’m not saying that this will happen in the first weeks of October, but slowly, Beck is making his mark.

I am of the opinion, however, that for the right trade, Beck is the type of guy who can walk away. Beck and Fowler – if those were just the demands – for a goaltender who should be among the NHL’s elite in the medium term, I would have thought about it.

I’m not saying that I definitely would have said yes since Fowler can be somethingbut I would have thought about it.