Yaroslav Askarov didn’t make the San Jose Sharks out of training camp this season after he was part of the team’s recent cuts. This is just added proof that he wasn’t yet ready for the NHL as the worst team in the league from last season, who are in a deep rebuild, still didn’t think he was capable of being one of the two goalies on the roster.
This was part of the problem the Nashville Predators had and why it led to the team moving on from him so quickly after a couple of key points in the offseason. While Juuse Saros signing for eight more years didn’t give Askarov much room to grow into the starter soon, he already wanted to play in the NHL.
Askarov had said that he wasn’t going to report to the AHL team if he was cut from the Predators in training camp. Following a trade to the Sharks and a contract, the young goalie couldn’t beat out either Vitek Vanecek or Mackenzie Blackwood.
The 22-year-old’s two-year, $2 million AAV deal doesn’t kick in until next season, so there was no rush for the Sharks. Given the track record of both Vanecek and Blackwood, Askarov will get time to play in the NHL this season as more of a trial run for the following season.
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Askarov has three career games in the NHL and 92 games logged in the AHL over the past two seasons with a .911 SV%. He is seen as one of the best goalie prospects around the league, but he did try to rush things. He will have his chance to grow with a young Sharks team and be given a great shot soon enough if he keeps developing.
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