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Fans reacted as the San Jose Sharks have sent highly touted goaltending prospect Yaroslav Askarov to the AHL, the team announced on Friday.
Askarov was acquired by the Sharks this offseason in a trade with the Nashville Predators in exchange for a first-round pick and two other players.
The 22-year-old Russian netminder was selected 11th overall by Nashville in the 2020 NHL Draft. He has struggled with lower body injury during training camp and is yet to resume skating with the team.
The news elicited strong reactions from NHL fans on social media. One fan commented:
"He wanted out of Nashville because they kept him in the minors and now he's back where he started. That's too bad."
Another fan noted:
"Good move, can’t have his confidence ruined facing 50 shots a game"
Here are some more fan reactions:
"Wow, he wanted to play and could have still. Played in Nashville farm team. Not a good sign if a bad team like sharks say he isnt ready," one fan wrote on X.
"Not gonna make the roster while hurt all training camp with Blackwood and Vanecek ready to go," another fan wrote.
"Didn’t he request a trade because he didn’t want to start in the AHL?," a user commented.
"He thought that he was this great goalie and wanted to play more and yet he can't even make the Sharks final roster. It might be time for him to rethink about some things," another user wrote.
Yaroslav Askarov appeared in just two NHL games with the Predators last season, posting strong numbers with a 1.47 goals against average and .943 save percentage.
Predators' GM Barry Trotz on Yaroslav Askarov's trade demand
GM Barry Trotz opened up about the trade of top goaltending prospect Yaroslav Askarov to the San Jose Sharks. Askarov's camp had publicly demanded a trade, putting the Predators in a difficult position, according to Trotz.
On the TSN OverDrive podcast, Trotz acknowledged the challenge of trading away a top prospect like Yaroslav Askarov.
"Well, you never want to lose a top prospect, but I think we got some good returns in David Edstrom, who fills a need at center for our franchise," Trotz said on August.
Trotz understood Askarov's impatience as a young player and desire for more playing time. The coach had assured Askarov he would get enough games this season and brought back renowned goalie coach Mitch Korn to aid his development.
Trotz wanted Yaroslav Askarov to serve as the backup in Nashville this season with ample games and support. However, he understood Yaroslav's perspective and that things didn't work out as hoped.
