Goaltender Yaroslav Askarov #1 of Russia guards the net against Matthew Boldy #12 of the United States during the 2021 IIHF World Junior Championship (Photo by Codie McLachlan/Getty Images)
Yaroslav Askarov wants to become a franchise goaltender for the San Jose Sharks, and the team will do everything to help him achieve this. Sharks' director of goaltending Evgeni Nabokov said this in an interview with RG.
"This is not just another goalie that we acquired," Nabokov said in an exclusive interview with RG. "He wants to be a franchise goalie, and we want to help him with that. But to achieve that, you need many qualities. You don't just have to be a good goalie on the ice, but you also have to be hard-working, mentally stable, get along with your teammates, be a leader. He has to be the backbone of the team; for that, you need character and be special. As far as I understand, he has all of that. Now, we'll see how he does. We'll create all the conditions for him, but the main thing will depend on him."
The Sharks acquired Askarov from the Nashville Predators on Friday and later signed him to a two-year contract extension that starts in 2025-26 worth $4 million ($2 million AAV). The six-foot-three, 178-pound goaltender was originally selected by Nashville in the 2020 NHL Draft (first round, 11th overall).
Nabokov said Askarov is ready to arrive next week if he can quickly resolve his visa issues:
"It's clear that he really wants to get here as soon as possible. That's encouraging."
The Sharks will begin training camp with four goalies: Askarov, Mackenzie Blackwood, Vitek Vanecek, and Georgi Romanov. When asked if San Jose's starting goalie would be determined in a competition between them, Nabokov said, "Yes."
Askarov appeared in two games for Nashville last season, earning a 1-0-0 record with a 1.47 goals-against average (GAA) and a .943 save percentage (SV%). He’s appeared in three total NHL games, recording a 2.58 GAA and .914 SV%.
He primarily played for the Milwaukee Admirals in the 2023-24 season, Nashville’s American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate. He appeared in 44 games and earned a 30-13-1 record, six shutouts, a 2.39 GAA, and a .911 SV%. He helped Milwaukee reach the Western Conference Final for the second straight season, appearing in five games and recording a 2-3 record with a 3.25 GAA.
Last season, the Sharks finished last in the NHL standings, winning 19 games and earning 47 points. They then won the draft lottery and selected forward Macklin Celebrini with the first pick. Given that the team is rebuilding, how difficult will it be for a young goalie to adapt and prove himself?
"Everyone understands that the team is being rebuilt, we have a lot of young guys," Nabokov said. "But this means that everyone has a chance to prove themselves and become part of the team's future core. It is being formed now. It is important for a goalie to build the right psychological line. You need to do your job. Make saves, work hard, and not let in bad goals. The rest will come. Many goalies find it easier to make 40 saves rather than 20."
Sergey Demidov
