Highlights from Yaroslav Askarov's NHL debut for Nashville
Nashville Predators' top goaltending prospect Yaroslav Askarov made his NHL debut against the Montreal Canadiens last night at only 20 years old. It was a surprising debut, mostly because of the circumstances that led up to it. Kevin Lankinen was reportedly ill before the Preds' Wednesday game against Toronto, necessitating an emergency call up from […]
Nashville Predators' top goaltending prospect Yaroslav Askarov made his NHL debut against the Montreal Canadiens last night at only 20 years old.
It was a surprising debut, mostly because of the circumstances that led up to it. Kevin Lankinen was reportedly ill before the Preds' Wednesday game against Toronto, necessitating an emergency call up from Milwaukee. Lankinen was apparently well enough to back up Juuse Saros in that game, but would he be able to start the next night in Montreal?
Apparently not, clearing the way for Nashville to get a look at their top pick from the 2020 NHL Draft.
At only 20-years-old, Askarov became the youngest goalie to ever debut for the Nashville Predators (Juuse Saros was exactly 13 days older when he debuted for Nashville in 2015). Despite his youth, Askarov entered the game with high expectations, as he's been heralded as one of the best goaltending prospects in recent NHL history. He's even been compared to fellow Russian, two-time Stanley Cup champion, and Vezina Trophy winner Andrei Vasilevskiy.
So how did he do in his debut?
Highlights from Askarov's debut
Overall, Askarov's debut went pretty well. He finished with 31 saves in a 4-2 loss, but his technical skill and confidence in net stood out. Most rookie goalies enter their debut needing some work in their game, and Askarov is no exception. He made some mistakes, but also made some incredible saves.
One thing that was clear last night? Askarov does not lack confidence.
Multiple times in the game, Askarov made aggressive plays for the puck, both behind the net and in front of it. He is known as an excellent puck handler and that was on full display last night.
However, his aggressiveness did burn the team at least twice. One time late in the 1st period, Askarov played the puck behind the net, trying to send it back where it came from. If he had just held it or reversed the puck the other way, it would have been out of danger and ready for a regroup. But he tried a risky play to send it back up to the Predators' winger and it led to a turnover and an easy goal for Montreal.
Later, he tried a quick outlet pass in between two Montreal attackers as the Preds were attempting a line change. While he got the pass off accurately, it led to a too many men penalty for Nashville. Not entirely his fault, and something the team will get used to with Askarov: he likes to play the puck.
So Askarov's aggressiveness is something to keep an eye on in the future. But it should be noted that aggressiveness is exactly what made the Predators draft him in the 1st round.
Take for example this play:
As Evgenii Dadonov entered the zone on a breakaway, Askarov did not sit back and let the play happen. He stood high in the crease, challenging the puck handler, forcing him to go wide. Then he did two things you don't normally see from a rookie goalie: he made a smart play to disrupt Dadonov's shot, by getting his glove on his top hand, while simultaneously getting his full right pad across for the save. These two actions show just how athletic and "hockey smart" he is.
Most goalies have an "anything to make the save, anything to keep the puck out of the net" mindset, but Askarov also has the technical skill, size, and speed to make those plays happen.
Reaction, instincts, talent, athleticism… Askarov has all of it.
In the end, Askarov took the loss in his NHL debut, as many rookie goaltenders have done in their debut. But based on what I saw in net last night, the Nashville Predators have a future star on their hands.
— Featured image via David Kirouac/USA TODAY Sports —
