Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports
It’s one thing to see the writing on the wall. It’s another to see your future spelled out 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 keeper Yaroslav Askarov couldn’t ignore what was staring him in the face: a gargantuan sign letting him know that his hope of becoming an NHL No. 1 wasn’t going to happen in Music City.
By all accounts, of course, this wasn’t how it was supposed to happen. Drafted 11th overall in 2020, Askarov was – and still is – considered one of the top goaltending prospects in the world. He seemed destined to be shepherded into the top job in Nashville, much like Saros had been 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 chatter, Askarov got it.
Days after reports surfaced Askarov had asked for a trade out of Nashville, the San Jose Sharks scooped up the 22-year-old netminder in a swap that GM Mike Grier said was a golden opportunity for his franchise. “We’re very confident that he’s going to be a No. 1,” Grier said.
“You don’t have too many chances to add players of this caliber in this position. It’s the hardest position to draft and develop and find, and to be able to get someone like this and add him to our group, we’re really excited.” – Sharks GM Mike Grier, on adding Askarov to the San Jose Sharks
Not that Grier needed much cajoling to add a prospect as coveted as Askarov, but integral to the Sharks’ decision to pull the trigger was the positive feedback from San Jose’s resident crease experts, headed up by director of goaltending Evgeni Nabokov. And if anyone knows a thing or two about being a young Russian kid standing in the blue paint for the Sharks, it’s Nabokov, who arrived in San Jose in 2000 as a 24-year-old and spent the next decade as the franchise’s starting goalie.
When it comes to Askarov, though, Nabokov is quick to temper expectations. “Everybody has their own route to the NHL,” Nabokov said. “Some kids adapt really quickly; some kids not. And to be honest with you, I don’t know yet.”
Don’t take that to mean Nabokov isn’t bullish on Askarov’s ability. The former Sharks stopper has had an eye on his compatriot since Askarov was a teenager, and Nabokov sees the same attributes as all who’ve watched Askarov: the size, the athleticism and the ability to read and stay ahead of the play. Nabokov also noted that Askarov’s footwork and quickness is a step ahead of his peers.
However, despite Askarov’s abundant talent, Nabokov doesn’t want the Sharks to just hand the reins to the newcomer. “For us, what’s important is that he has to earn it,” Nabokov said. “That’s huge for us. It’s not all about how your structure is or your technique is. 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 handle so many different things. Because if you want to be special, if you want to be that No. 1 goalie, it takes more than just being talented.”
If there has been any criticism of Askarov, it’s been the intangibles. But don’t misconstrue that as a knock against his personality. His bench-pressing celebration after shootout wins in the AHL isn’t an issue, nor is the edge he has to 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 reel it in and harness it in the right way, but it’s hard to play any sports at a high level without playing with emotion and fire.”
But Askarov has lacked consistency. In his two AHL seasons, he’s been among the league’s top netminders, appearing in the All-Star Game in both campaigns. He’s racked up 56 wins and nine shutouts in 92 regular-season outings on the farm. But Askarov also fumbled his starting gig in consecutive post-seasons, and he has posted a combined .897 save percentage and 2.85 goals-against average in the playoffs.
Few will begrudge a goalie of Askarov’s age for not being a finished product, though, 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 ability, they aren’t hitching their wagon to him quite yet.
All that means is that Askarov, with the Sharks in the nascent stages of a full-scale rebuild, will have room to grow. He’ll be given time to develop, to slip, to stumble. He’ll even, according to Grier, accept more time in the AHL if need be, which was reportedly a sticking point for Askarov prior to moving to San Jose. And then, when the time comes, it will be up to Askarov to prove he can be the No. 1 he believes he can be. “For me, it’s all about how bad do you want it,” Nabokov said. “That’s what it comes down to.”
This article appeared in the Oct. 7, 2024 edition of The Hockey News. In this edition, we turn to goaltending, putting a focus on three-time Stanley Cup champion goalie, 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. In addition, we take a look at the six revealed PWHL team names and logos following the league’s inaugural season.
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