Huge trade in KHL for Pastrnak and Aho as league prepares for NHL lockout in 2020

According to an unverified report out of Russia, CSKA Moscow of the KHL has pulled off a blockbuster deal prying the rights of NHLers David Pastrnak, Sebastien Aho and Joel Armia from Severstal Cherepovets in a cash deal.

Check it out:

#KHL: CSKA Moscow have reported acquired the rights to Sebastian Aho (Carolina), David Pastrňák (Boston), and Joel Armia (Montreal) from Severstal Cherepovets for cash. Definitely a move looking ahead to a potential NHL lockout in 2020.
— Patrick C (@ChunkletsHockey) December 27, 2018

The speculation is that CSKA Moscow is preparing for an NHL lockout in 2020 and is looking to load up with NHL superstars. In a similar move, Yaroslav Lokomotiv acquired the rights to leading NHL scorer Mikko Rantanen earlier this month.

We've seen a couple of deals like this in the last few months -- KHL teams definitely preparing for a potential work stoppage in the NHL in a couple of years. Lokomotiv acquired the rights to Mikko Rantanen recently.
— Patrick C (@ChunkletsHockey) December 27, 2018