I don't think we'd have to pay through the nose at all. I think they'd want a fair deal but I don't think we'd be giving up premium assets.
Askarov said he won't report to Milwaukee so they can't just say "too bad, you're going to play anyway." He wants out and he isn't going to play.
"Goalies are a wildcard" and "we're deep in net" is a very oxymoronic statement. Remember when Zach Fucale was going to be the next guy for us? Then it was Primeau. Now we're hanging our hats on Dobes and Fowler too. We have some interesting prospects, sure, and some may pan out but none with the upcoming pedigree of Askarov.
We picked Carey Price when we had Theodore, Huet, and Danis in the system too and I think we made the right choice there. Goalies are wildcards but pedigree does count in some situations.