Is it Time for Yaroslav Askarov to Prove Himself?

Askarov has been around for a couple of years now.

Is it time to put up or shut up?

Back in August of 2024, the San Jose Sharks made a trade. The Sharks traded prospects David Edstrom and Magnus Chrona, plus Vegas’ 2025 first-round pick to the Nashville Predators. In exchange, the Sharks received Yaroslav Askarov and Nolan Burke, along with Colorado’s 2025 third-round pick.

Sharks fans rejoiced. We finally had a “goalie of the future” in the prospect pipeline. The hockey world buzzed about what the Sharks were building. Keep in mind, this was before Macklin Celebrini and Will Smith made their NHL debuts.

Now that we are two years removed from that trade, is it time for Askarov to take the next step?

NHL Network’s Cory Schneider named five goalies with the most to prove this upcoming season. Askarov was number 5. Schneider said the Sharks are coming out of the rebuild and are expecting to make the playoffs. Askarov needs to put up numbers to help this team make the postseason.

He also added that the team in front of him last season may have hindered him. With that team came learning opportunities. “Being fed to the wolves,” so to speak. Now, however, he needs to take what he learned last year and use it to improve his game. Schneider also said he is too busy and wants to see him calm his game down.

Those are some valid points.

Last season, Askarov had a 21-20-4 record. He had a 3.63 goals-allowed average (GAA) and an .884 save percentage. Playoff-caliber goalies need to have a save percentage over .900.

The team in front of Askarov and Alex Nedeljkovic really was not defensively sound. That puts so much more on the goalies. They were expected to bail out the defense so much more than most teams. That’s not a recipe for success.

There were also a handful of times last season where Askarov tried to play the puck away from the net. Those heart-stopping moments cannot continue. One small blunder can cost games. Remember the blunder against Vegas? Hopefully, making better decisions about leaving the crease is a lesson learned from last season.

So what would a successful season look like for Askarov?

The Sharks will most likely continue to platoon Askarov and Nedeljkovic. For today, we will project Askarov getting 45 starts. If he can manage 28 or more wins, that will be a big step forward.

As stated above, we will hope for over a .900 save percentage. Along with that would be a GAA around 2.5. If Askarov can manage those numbers, then he will have proved himself to be an NHL goalie.

If Nedeljkovic can net around those same numbers, the Sharks will safely make the playoffs. Once you make the postseason, anything can happen.

Sharks fans have seen firsthand how far a goalie can carry a team. Hopefully next time, it will be in San Jose’s favor.