Yaroslav Askarov had no scarcity of critics this previous summer season when phrase got here out that he desired a commerce out of the Nashville Predators group.
Nashville had chosen Askarov eleventh total within the 2021 NHL Draft earlier than stationing him for 2 seasons with the Milwaukee Admirals. The Milwaukee-to-Nashville pipeline has pumped out prospect after prospect for the higher a part of the previous quarter-century. At least the likes of Pekka Rinne and Juuse Saros had taken that very same path that the Predators had now put earlier than Askarov.
2024 Iowa Wild vs San Jose Barracuda
However when the Predators signed Saros to an eight-year contract extension after which signed free agent Scott Wedgewood, it rapidly turned clear that Askarov’s highway to Nashville could be delayed if not closed altogether. So on August 23, Nashville common supervisor Barry Trotz despatched the 22-year-old Askarov west to the San Jose Sharks. It was not for a small return, both, because it price the Sharks a conditional 2025 first-round decide, a 2023 first-rounder in heart David Edstrom, and goalie Magnus Chrona.
Properly, because it turned out, Askarov is again within the AHL, but it surely’s underneath a lot totally different circumstances. Now he’s with the San Jose Barracuda, however there’s a clear highway to an NHL number-one job. The Sharks are in an all-out rebuild, and administration has made that actuality fairly clear. And Sharks goaltenders Mackenzie Blackwood and Vitek Vanecek are solely signed by way of the top of this season, so the Sharks’ long-term image in internet is much from confirmed.
But when all goes to plan, they need Askarov to carry that job. A robust first impression by no means hurts, and Askarov made one this previous Saturday night time because the Barracuda opened their season at Ontario. The Reign introduced a stiff check, too, dressing a line-up that includes Samuel Fagemo (43 targets in 50 video games final season), Glenn Gawdin, and Charles Hudon amongst others.
Askarov delivered, holding the Barracuda within the recreation earlier than they pulled away for good with three third-period targets in a 5-0 victory. For Askarov, it was a 22-save shutout after had completed second total within the AHL in 2023-24 with six. That victory got here full with the celebration that he made well-known with the Admirals.
WELCOME TO SAN JOSE, YAROSLAV ASKAROV!
Aquired by the @SanJoseSharks over the summer season, Askarov secures his first shutout of the yr for the @sjbarracuda of their season opener! 🚫🥅#AHL #TheFutureIsTeal #DecadeinSJ pic.twitter.com/p8FfSqpY2S
— FloHockey (@FloHockey) October 13, 2024
Blackwood bought the opening-night begin for the Sharks final Thursday, stopping 35 photographs in a 5-4 loss to St. Louis. Vanecek took his flip two nights later with 28 saves because the Sharks fell to Anaheim, 2-0. Each of these goaltenders will combat for time in internet this season all whereas one of many recreation’s high prospects continues to apprentice with the Barracuda.
However for the way lengthy? There may be loads of time nonetheless to go as this season begins to unfold, but when and when the Sharks elect to advertise Askarov will likely be one of many AHL’s high early storylines this season.
2024 Iowa Wild vs San Jose Barracuda
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