Askarov (lower body) was demoted to AHL San Jose on Friday.
When Askarov was acquired by San Jose in a trade from Nashville during the offseason, there was speculation that he would supplant Mackenzie Blackwood and Vitek Vanecek as the No. 1 option between the pipes for the Sharks. Instead, the 22-year-old Askarov has been sent down to the minors to open the season, perhaps in part due to the lower-body injury that limited him during training camp. Even with the demotion, it seems unlikely this will be the last time Askarov graces the NHL roster this year.
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Sharks' Yaroslav Askarov: Returns to ice
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Askarov (lower body) skated on his own Monday for the first time during training camp, Max Miller of NHL.com reports.
Askarov will most likely not be ready for Opening Night, but he seems to be progressing well with his recovery. The 22-year-old told reporters Sept. 21 that his injury was not significant, and that he hoped to return to the ice in short order, according to Miller. Askarov was a first-round pick by Nashville in the 2020 NHL Entry Draft, and he was acquired in a trade by San Jose in August.
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Sharks' Yaroslav Askarov: Missing from Tuesday's skate
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Askarov (lower body) was not in attendance for Tuesday's game-day skate and will miss out versus Anaheim, Curtis Pashelka of The San Jose Mercury News reports.
Askarov came into training camp with high expectations but a lower-body injury has kept him from getting on the ice with his teammates. Set to compete for the starting job for Opening Night against St. Louis on Oct. 10, an extended absence could open the door for either Mackenzie Blackwood or Vitek Vanecek to step up. Still, unless Askarov is out long-term, he should eventually claim the No. 1 gig in San Jose.
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Sharks' Yaroslav Askarov: Not ready for training camp
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Askarov will miss the start of training camp with a lower-body injury.
Askarov is expected to be the No. 1 goaltender with the Sharks this season, after he was dealt from Nashville on Aug. 23. The 11th overall pick by the Predators in 2020, Askarov is considered by many to be the best goaltender not playing in the NHL. He was 30-13-1 with a 2.39 GAA and a .911 save percentage for AHL Milwaukee last season.
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Sharks' Yaroslav Askarov: Signs extension after trade
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Askarov signed a two-year, $4 million contract with the Sharks on Friday, per PuckPedia.
Askarov was acquired in a trade with the Predators earlier in the day, and general manager Mike Grier didn't waste any time in getting the goalie into the Sharks' plans through 2026-27. The 22-year-old goalie is 1-1-0 with six goals allowed on 70 shots over three NHL appearances. Expect Askarov to have every chance to win the No. 1 job in San Jose in training camp, and if he proves to be NHL ready, he could jump-start the team's rebuild.
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Sharks' Yaroslav Askarov: On his way to San Jose
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The Sharks acquired Askarov, Nolan Burke and Colorado's 2025 third-round pick from the Predators in exchange for David Edstrom, Magnus Chrona and a conditional 2025 first-round selection Friday.
Askarov is the jewel of the trade, as he was selected 11th overall in the 2020 Draft by the Predators and has shone thus far in his professional career. Askarov was outstanding with AHL Milwaukee in 2023-24, going 30-13-1 with a 2.39 GAA and a .911 save percentage. He also saw action in a pair of NHL games last season, going 1-0-0 while giving up a pair of goals on 35 shots. Entering training camp, Askarov should be in contention to grab the top job with the Sharks, ahead of Mackenzie Blackwood and Vitek Vanecek.
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Predators' Yaroslav Askarov: Sent back to minors
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Askarov was reassigned to AHL Milwaukee on Sunday.
Askarov's return to the minors could bode well for the availability of Kevin Lankinen (illness) for Tuesday's contest against Chicago. The 21-year-old Askarov earned his first NHL win Saturday, stopping 27 of 29 shots in a 3-2 shootout victory over Washington.
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Predators' Yaroslav Askarov: Earns first career win
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Askarov stopped 27 of 29 shots in Saturday's 3-2 shootout win over the Capitals.
Askarov couldn't protect a 2-0 lead in regulation, but he was solid in his first NHL start of the season. He got a little help on a video review that negated the Capitals' go-ahead tally in the third period. Askarov then stopped Evgeny Kuznetsov and Alex Ovechkin in the shootout to secure the win. The 21-year-old Askarov is likely to head back to AHL Milwaukee once Kevin Lankinen (illness) is ready to return to action.
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Predators' Yaroslav Askarov: Tending twine against Capitals
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Askarov will defend the road goal Saturday against Washington, Stephen Whyno of the Associated Press reports.
Askarov stopped all six shots he faced across 16:40 of playing time after Juuse Saros was pulled in Wednesday's 5-2 loss to Carolina. This will be the first NHL start of the season for Askarov, who stopped 31 shots in a 4-3 loss to Montreal on Jan. 12 during his debut with the Predators. Washington ranks 31st in the league this campaign with 2.30 goals per contest.
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Predators' Yaroslav Askarov: Makes six saves in relief
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Askarov stopped all six shots he faced after taking over for Juuse Saros in a 5-2 loss to the Hurricanes on Wednesday.
After Saros allowed five goals through the first two periods, Askarov made his season debut to open the third, turning aside six shots. After going 8-6-1 with a .908 save percentage with AHL Milwaukee this season, the 21-year-old Askarov was recalled Wednesday with Kevin Lankinen (illness) unavailable. The Predators play back-to-back games Friday and Saturday, meaning Askarov would likely be in line for his second career start this weekend if Lankinen remains unavailable.
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Predators' Yaroslav Askarov: Summoned Wednesday
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Askarov was called up by Nashville on Wednesday, Robby Stanley of NHL.com reports.
Askarov has a 2.45 GAA and a .908 save percentage in 15 AHL contests with Milwaukee in 2023-24. Kevin Lankinen didn't join the Predators for the start of the morning skate, and if the veteran goaltender isn't available Wednesday versus Carolina, then Askarov will presumably back up Juuse Saros.
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Predators' Yaroslav Askarov: Dealing with injury
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Askarov (undisclosed) was recently hurt while playing for AHL Milwaukee, general manager Barry Trotz told Nick Kieser of Nashville Hockey Now on Wednesday.
Askarov is one of the top goalie prospects in the minors. He's lived up to the hype so far with the Admirals, posting a 1.60 GAA and a .935 save percentage over five games. Without more details, it's unclear when Askarov may be available again.
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Predators' Yaroslav Askarov: Takes loss in debut
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Askarov stopped 31 shots in Thursday's 4-3 loss to the Canadiens.
Making his debut for the Predators, the 11th overall pick in the 2020 NHL Draft showed some nerves in the first period, but he settled down and the Habs needed power plays to score their final two goals of the night. Askarov will likely head back to AHL Milwaukee, where the 20-year-old goaltending prospect sports a 2.66 GAA and .905 save percentage through 22 games, when Kevin Lankinen (illness) is feeling 100 percent.
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Predators' Yaroslav Askarov: Called up Wednesday
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Askarov was recalled from AHL Milwaukee on Wednesday.
Askarov is up as insurance in goal for the Predators -- Juuse Saros will start versus the Maple Leafs, but Kevin Lankinen (undisclosed) is considered a game-time decision. Given the relatively minor nature of Lankinen's injury, Askarov shouldn't be expected to play during this stint with the big club.
Askarov signed a three-year, entry-level deal with Nashville on Monday.
Askarov was selected 11th overall by the Predators in the 2020 NHL Entry Draft. He's appeared in 16 games with KHL St. Petersburg over the last three seasons, posting a terrific 1.48 GAA and .937 save percentage in the process. The 6-foot-3 netminder will turn 20 this offseason and will likely begin next year with AHL Milwaukee but could make an NHL impact before long.
