The Sharks should consider giving Yaroslav Askarov a shot

The San Jose Sharks are off to a 0-4-2 start to the season, in what’s been a disappointing opening couple of weeks for the rebuilding franchise. In net, Vitek Vanecek has registered an .884 save percentage in his four appearances, meanwhile, Mackenzie Blackwood owns an .875 through his first three contests.

Begging the question – is it time for the Sharks to give Yaroslav Askarov a look? The former Nashville Predators‘ 2020 first-round pick, was acquired by San Jose before the season, and unfortunately, was unable to enjoy a full training camp/preseason schedule, due to injuries.

The Russian southpaw netminder is currently as healthy as ever, and after being sent down to the American Hockey League’s San Jose Barracuda, has since posted back-to-back shutouts in his two appearances.

On Monday’s episode of Daily Faceoff Live, Tyler Yaremchuk and Colby Cohen welcomed former NHL netminder Carter Hutton onto the program, and touched on Askarov’s start, and if he should be asking for a recall, sooner than later.

Cohen: Let’s move around to the West for a minute, and let’s look at Askarov. Two shutouts for the San Jose Barracuda, which I’m pumped about. Should he be done with the American (Hockey) League? You rarely ever hear a general manager, or a hockey management-type of person say ‘there’s such thing as too much seasoning in the minors’.

But, with a guy like him, is it time to let him come up and see if he can help this San Jose team, that does look like they’re a little but of a mess defensively?

Hutton: Yeah, that’s the biggest question mark here. In those shutouts, 22 saves, 26 saves, not as busy as he’s going to be coming to San Jose. But, at this point, the Sharks are 0-4-2, they don’t even have a win in regulation. So, this is where I think, giving him the chance, especially with his demeanor. This is a guy that has the…almost the arrogance.

You see when he’s winning games, he’s shutting the net down. Blackwood hasn’t been great, .875 save percentage, Vanecek .884. And these are goalies, who I believe can carry the luggage, but at the same time, this San Jose team needs a spark, and maybe this is the guy. At some point, I think you need to bet on him. Even if you get him up, get him in a few games, and it doesn’t go well, you can always send him back. But, at this point, there’s really no harm in trying.

For more from the Blue Paint with Hutton, and the very latest from around the NHL, watch the full episode here.