October 20th 2024.
The San Jose Sharks couldn't be more pleased with the performance of their young goalie, Yaroslav Askarov, in his first two starts for their top minor league team. He's been everything they had hoped for and more, and he's even willing to dial back his post-victory celebrations at their request.
On Saturday, Askarov was perfect once again, making an impressive 26 saves and earning his second consecutive shutout to start the season. He led the San Jose Barracuda to a 5-0 win over the Iowa Wild in front of a crowd of 3,942 at the Tech CU Arena. Askarov was particularly strong in the first period, making 10 saves, and he also helped the team kill off four minor penalties. This marks his 11th shutout in just 94 career games in the AHL, and he had previously made 22 saves in a 5-0 victory over the Ontario team last week.
In addition to Askarov's stellar performance, two Barracuda players scored their first professional goals. Donavan Houle, a 24-year-old forward, scored his first two goals as a pro, while 19-year-old defenseman Luca Cagnoni also got his first. Askarov was quick to credit his team for their strong play, saying, "The team played unreal. That helps me a lot, and I try to do the same. It's a good team win."
After his shutout against Ontario, Askarov made headlines for his flamboyant celebrations, but he has since toned them down a bit. In a previous game, he had lowered the crossbar onto the ice, and after a shootout victory in 2023, he even began bench-pressing the crossbar. However, in Saturday's game, he simply pumped his fist after the final horn and removed his mask to acknowledge the crowd. When asked about his celebrations, Askarov revealed that someone had advised him to be more subdued, saying, "Someone told me, try to be more quiet. Not quiet, but take it easy."
Despite his energetic celebrations, there's no denying that Askarov has lived up to the expectations placed on him since the San Jose Sharks acquired him from the Nashville Predators in August. The question now is when he will be called up to play in the NHL. Currently, the Sharks have 14 forwards, seven defensemen, and two healthy goalies on their 23-man roster. General manager Doug Wilson had previously stated that he wouldn't rule out starting the season with three goalies on the roster, and it's unclear whether that mindset has changed. However, it's clear that the Sharks value competition and will be patient in letting the process unfold.
Barracuda general manager and Sharks assistant GM Joe Will spoke about their approach, saying, "We're just getting used to having [Askarov] here, and he's getting used to being here. So I think it was all set up not to be in a hurry or anything, but just to let it evolve organically." It's possible that Askarov will have to wait for an injury or a trade before being added to the Sharks roster. He has played three NHL games in the past, with a record of 1-1-0 and a save percentage of .914 for the Predators.
According to Will, the Sharks will know when Askarov, or any goalie, is ready for the NHL when they prove that they can handle a good workload of games and perform well consistently. Barracuda coach John McCarthy echoed this sentiment, saying, "Does he control the game for us? Does he deal with everything thrown at him in a mature way? Does that show up on the ice?" So far, Askarov has shown no issues and will likely get another start next week when the Barracuda take on the Henderson Silver Knights.
For now, Askarov's presence in the AHL is a major boost for the Barracuda. With him in net, the team has a chance to win every game, which is crucial for a team that has struggled with low team save percentages in recent years. As McCarthy said, "Guys are excited to play in front of him. The one thing you need to know about a goalie is how the guys play in front of him, and there seems to be a lot of trust in him."
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