Yaroslav Askarov, one of the NHL's top goaltending prospects, was called up Monday by the San Jose Sharks in a move that had been expected since the start of the season.
Askarov, 22, played well for the Sharks' AHL affiliate in San Jose. He was 6-3-0 with a 1.92 goals-against average and a .939 save percentage for the Barracuda, third in the AHL in save percentage and sixth in both goals-against average and shots faced.
The Sharks acquired Askarov in August in a trade with the Nashville Predators in August, adding another piece in a continuing rebuild. The Sharks received Askarov, forward Nolan Burke and a 2025 third-round pick for forward David Edstrom, a 2025 conditional first-round pick that originally belonged to the Vegas Golden Knights, and goaltender Magnus Chrona.
Askarov signed a two-year contract worth $2 million annually just hours after the trade.
The Sharks, among the teams at the bottom of the league rankings in points, have built was many considered one of the NHL's strongest farm systems, including selecting former Boston University center Macklin Celebrini with the No. 1 pick in the 2024 NHL draft. Celebrini signed his entry-level contract with the Sharks within weeks of former Boston College center Will Smith, the club's No. 4 pick in 2023, who also left school to sign with the team.
The Sharks, however, have struggled in goal. They entered Monday's game against the Detroit Red Wings allowing 3.37 goals per game, ninth-most in the league.
The rebuilding Sharks are 6-5 since losing nine straight to start the season. They trailed most of Monday's game but played inspired hockey, especially late, as they rallied to beat the Red Wings 5-4 on Celebrini's goal 46 seconds into overtime.
Information from The Associated Press was included in this report.