Yaroslav Askarov, a highly regarded goalie prospect in the NHL, has been called up by the San Jose Sharks for his debut in the league. This move was anticipated since the beginning of the season, as Askarov had been performing impressively for the Sharks’ AHL affiliate team in San Jose.
At just 22 years old, Askarov had a record of 6-3-0 with a stellar 1.92 goals-against average and a remarkable .939 save percentage for the Barracuda. His outstanding performance placed him third in the AHL in save percentage, and sixth in both goals-against average and shots faced.
The Sharks acquired Askarov in a trade with the Nashville Predators in August, as part of their ongoing rebuilding efforts. In exchange for Askarov, the Sharks gave up forward David Edstrom, a 2025 conditional first-round pick from the Vegas Golden Knights, and goaltender Magnus Chrona. Along with Askarov, the Sharks also received forward Nolan Burke and a 2025 third-round pick.
After the trade, Askarov wasted no time in signing a two-year contract worth $2 million annually with the Sharks. This signing further solidified the Sharks’ commitment to developing young talent and building a competitive team for the future.
Despite having one of the strongest farm systems in the NHL, the Sharks have struggled this season, currently tied with the Columbus Blue Jackets for the second-fewest points in the league. One area of particular concern has been goaltending, as the team has been allowing an average of 3.37 goals per game, which ranks ninth in the league.
With the addition of Yaroslav Askarov to the roster, the Sharks are hoping to shore up their goaltending and improve their overall performance on the ice. Askarov’s impressive track record and potential make him a promising asset for the team as they strive to turn their season around and climb up the standings in the NHL.