As the goaltenders emerged from the Nashville Predators locker room for practice on Wednesday morning one was missing and one was a face not seen in the NHL this season.
Kevin Lankinen was the one absent from practice as the team said he’s day-to-day with an illness after Christmas. So, prospect Yaroslav Askarov is filling in for the time being after 15 games played so far with the Milwaukee Admirals down in the American Hockey League.
“I think he can just watch [Saros] and how he prepares, how hard he works, and how hard he works consistently,” head coach Andrew Brunette said of Askarov being in Nashville. “I think Askarov is a wonderful young goalie that’s still learning. Goaltending sometimes takes a little longer. More ups and downs at least the ones I’ve been around.”
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— Nick Kieser 🏒 (@KieserNick) December 27, 2023
So far this season Askarov is 8-6-1 overall with a goals against average of 2.45 and a save percentage of .908. He’s been sharing the net with AHL veteran Troy Grosenick who has played in 12 games this year going 7-3-0.
“Everything has been fine. He’s a good goalie and I’m happy to be with him,” Askarov said.
When asked about what he’s learned from Grosenick he said it was a “secret” between he and his teammate. At practices in Milwaukee, Askarov has also seen and felt firsthand how some of the skaters are progressing as they inch toward making a push for time in the NHL.
“It’s always great. We have beef every practice when they try to score on me and I make the save,” Askarov said of working with blossoming prospects.
As the 21-year-old goalie is absorbing what he learns at the rink he’s also had time off with some teammates.
Forwards Denis Gurianov, Egor Afanasyev, and Fedor Svechkov are often seen out on the town spending time together. Askarov did not specify who went but a group of players went to Chicago over Christmas and eventually found themselves in a Russian bathhouse. An experience he told reporters he highly recommends.
“We went to a Russian sauna, so it was awesome,” Askarov said. “Everyone needs to try it someday. It’s the best place. After that, you feel like you’re reborn.”
Now that Askarov is back with the Predators for the first time during the regular season since Jan. 12 in Montreal he’s getting more of a feel for what it will take to be a full-timer on the roster when the time is right.
His NHL debut saw him make 31 saves in a 4-3 loss to the Montreal Canadiens. So, what’s the biggest challenge he’s faced himself with this season in his mind?
“Try to find the best version of yourself. Want to be the best to make it simple,” Askarov said of what challenge he faces developing.
He added how he doesn’t often like to dwell on his previous games since he’s focused more on what lies ahead on the schedule.
Tonight he’s back in the NHL for the first time in 349 days as the calendar year comes to a close. Saros was the first goalie off the ice at the morning skate indicating he’ll make his 28th start of the season while Lankinen is on the mend at home.
Follow Nick Kieser on Twitter/X: @KieserNick
Photo courtesy of Milwaukee Admirals
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