Askarov is intriguing for the jackets but not for jiricek. Rumors are askarov was used as trade bait in the draft to move up but no teams would bite. His value is probably a mid first rounder. Goalies just don’t have the same value as skaters. Especially prospects. Still quite a gap in terms of value between jiricek and askarov

Jiricek fills a 1RD hole that we don't have a replacement for. Elvis is the current starting goalie (since there's no trade market for him, as reported) and Greaves looks like the future (and he's ready now IMO). CBJ isn't moving Jiricek, and if they did, this isn't really the fit.

This is only partially correct. Askarov was dangled in front of SJS and MTL to get 4th or 5th overall during the draft because Trotz wanted one of those picks to secure a future 1C. He was not offered across the league. It doesn't look like Askarov gets moved unless Trotz gets what he wants, which would be something around Jiricek's level. Askarov is worth more to NSH than a mid 1st rounder, especially considering he was drafted 11th OA.

Fair enough. I still don’t think askarovs value is close to jiricek nor would the jackets consider it. I would rather have an average goalie and elite RD prospect than an average RD and elite goalie prospect. I am biased though cause I don’t value goaltending as much as others.

Mtl took reinbacher with 5OA who jiricek is similar too if not better. So if 12OA and Askarov still wasn’t enough to get Reinbacher than that gives you a better understanding of the value

Fair point, but I think it says more about how much MTL wanted Reinbacher, than it does about Askarov's value (not that he would be worth close to Jiricek on his own). Reinbacher was considered a reach at 5OA by nearly everyone. He wasn't going to be NSH's pick, had they been able to trade up. Reinbacher wasn't even everyone's top defenceman in the draft.

CBJ fans - does @viqsi still post much on CF? Haven't seen her around here in forever. Always appreciated her takes.