The Sharks announced Monday that they’ve recalled prime goaltending prospect Yaroslav Askarov from AHL San Jose. The workforce positioned middle Nico Sturm on injured reserve to open up a roster spot.
Askarov was anticipated to compete for an NHL job out of coaching camp after being acquired in a blockbuster swap with the Predators in August. A lower-body damage sustained over the offseason threw a wrench into these plans, although. Since Askarov didn’t get on the ice with San Jose till the start of October, they stored their veteran tandem of Mackenzie Blackwood and Vítek Vaněček intact whereas loaning the 22-year-old to their AHL affiliate.
If the 2020 Eleventh-overall decide’s need for NHL time wasn’t obvious when he requested a commerce out of Nashville, it’s crystal clear now after his impeccable begin within the AHL. He’s been among the many league’s greatest netminders with a 1.92 GAA, .939 SV%, two shutouts, and a 6-3-0 document in 9 appearances behind one of many AHL’s worst groups over the previous few seasons. His play has fueled the Barracuda to a 93-point tempo, which might be their second-best document in franchise historical past since their inception in 2015.
It’s a marked enchancment on his already sturdy numbers with AHL Milwaukee whereas within the Predators’ system. He began 40-plus video games within the 2022-23 and 2023-24 campaigns with matching .911 save percentages, incomes himself a pair of All-Star Sport nods. It solely translated into two NHL begins and one reduction look with Nashville throughout that point, posting a 2.58 GAA and .914 SV% with a 1-1-0 document.
Askarov is anticipated to again up Blackwood tonight in opposition to the Purple Wings. His recall comes after Vaněček sustained an undisclosed damage within the first interval in opposition to the Penguins on Saturday and didn’t return after the intermission.
Whereas Blackwood has been sturdy for the Sharks this 12 months with a .914 SV% and 4.7 GSAA in 11 appearances, Vaněček’s .899 SV% and -0.5 GSAA in 10 video games have solidified him because the weak hyperlink in San Jose’s tandem so far. If he’s out lengthy sufficient for Askarov to get some recreation motion, there’s a small however seen opening for him to steal the No. 2 job behind Blackwood and doubtlessly push the pending UFA Vaněček to the waiver wire or power San Jose to hold three goalies.
In the meantime, Sturm lands on IR after lacking Saturday’s recreation with an upper-body damage. His placement is retroactive to Nov. 14, so he’ll miss no less than two extra video games however is eligible to return for Thursday’s street tilt in opposition to the Blues. The German pivot has averaged simply 9:50 per recreation this season however remains to be tied for seventh on the Sharks in scoring with six factors (3 G, 3 A) in 18 video games.
