Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports
It’s one thing to see the writing on the wall. It’s another thing entirely to see your future in flashing neon lights. And when Juuse Saros signed a mega-money extension with the Nashville Predators in July, followed not long after by the Preds’ signing of veteran second-stringer Scott Wedgewood, upstart goaltender Yaroslav Askarov couldn’t ignore what was staring him in the face: a giant sign that let him know his hopes of becoming NHL No. 1 wouldn’t come to fruition in Music City.
By all accounts, of course, this was not how it should have happened. Drafted 11th overall in 2020, Askarov was – and still is – considered one of the best players in the world. He seemed destined to be ushered into the top job in Nashville, just as Saros was done by Predators icon Pekka Rinne. But with Askarov’s path to the NHL blocked by Saros’ new long-term deal, he wanted a fresh start. He wanted a chance.
And in August, after a month of rumors and trade talk, Askarov got it.
Days after reports surfaced that Askarov had requested a trade from Nashville, the San Jose Sharks picked up the 22-year-old netminder in a trade that GM Mike Grier said was a golden opportunity for his franchise. “We’re confident he’s going to be a No. 1 guy,” Grier said.
“You don’t have many opportunities to add players of this caliber in this position. It’s the most difficult position to draft, develop and find, and to be able to get someone like that and add him to our group, we’re very excited. – Sharks GM Mike Grier, on adding Askarov to the San Jose Sharks
Not that Grier needed much persuasion to add a prospect as coveted as Askarov, but integral to the Sharks’ decision to pull the trigger was positive feedback from San Francisco’s local crease experts Jose, led by goaltending director Evgeni Nabokov. And if anyone knows a thing or two about being a young Russian kid in the blue paint for the Sharks, it’s Nabokov, who arrived in San Jose as a 24-year-old in 2000 and spent the next decade as the franchise’s starting goalie. .
But when it comes to Askarov, Nabokov is quick to temper expectations. “Everyone has their own route to the NHL,” Nabokov said. “Some children adapt very quickly; some children don’t. And to be honest, I don’t know yet.”
Don’t assume this means Nabokov isn’t optimistic about Askarov’s abilities. The former Sharks stopper has been watching his compatriot since Askarov was a teenager, and Nabokov sees the same traits as anyone who has watched Askarov: the size, athleticism and ability to read and stay ahead of the game. Nabokov also noted that Askarov’s footwork and speed are a step ahead of his peers.
However, despite Askarov’s abundant talent, Nabokov doesn’t want the Sharks to simply hand the reins to the newcomer. “For us it is important that he has to earn it,” Nabokov said. “That’s huge for us. It’s not just about what your structure is or what your technique is like. It’s more than that. With a No. 1 goaltender, it’s always the mental part of the game, the emotional part of the game, how you deal with so many different things. Because if you want to be special, if you want to be the number 1 goalkeeper, it takes more than just being talented.”
If there has been any criticism of Askarov, it is the intangibles. But don’t misinterpret that as a blow to his personality. His bench-pressing celebration after shootout wins in the AHL isn’t a problem, nor is the edge he has in his game. “It’s a competitive sport and we want guys who compete hard every night, play with emotion and play with fire,” Grier said. “Obviously you have to bring it in and utilize it in the right way, but it’s difficult to play a sport at a high level without playing with emotion and fire.”
But Askarov lacked consistency. In his two AHL seasons, he was among the league’s top netminders, appearing in the All-Star Game in both campaigns. He has recorded 56 wins and nine shutouts in 92 regular season appearances at the farm. But Askarov also fumbled his starting gig in consecutive postseasons, and he has a combined .897 save percentage and a 2.85 goals-against average in the playoffs.
But few would begrudge a goaltender of Askarov’s age for not being a finished product, and the Sharks signing him to a two-year, $4 million extension shortly after his arrival is an indication that while they believe in his abilities , but they aren’t. They haven’t hitched their wagon to him yet.
That just means that with the Sharks in the early stages of a full rebuild, Askarov will have room to grow. He will have time to develop, to slip, to stumble. According to Grier, he will even accept more time in the AHL if necessary, which was reportedly a sticking point for Askarov before he moved to San Jose. And then, when the time comes, it will be up to Askarov to prove he can be the No. 1 he thinks he can be. “For me it’s about how much you want it,” Nabokov said. “That’s what it comes down to.”
This article appeared in the October 7, 2024 edition of The Hockey News. In this edition, we focus on goaltending, highlighting three-time Stanley Cup champion goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury during the final season of his NHL career. Also in this issue we analyze which teams have the best and worst tandems in the league. Additionally, we take a look at the six PWHL team names and logos revealed following the league’s inaugural season.
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