– You trained Yaroslav Askarov at SKA, now he made his NHL debut. What do you think of his match against Montreal (3:4)?
– I watched the moments of this game and I will say that I really liked Yarik’s debut for Nashville. He played powerfully, especially in the first half. Well done! Too bad the team didn’t win. Nevertheless, I would qualify this start as successful.
I saw him play for Milwaukee in the AHL. It was not for nothing that Askarov was chosen for the “Star Game” of this league. But NHL debut covers it all. I’m sincerely happy for him, and that’s completely normal. I am glad that already in the first season Yaroslav had the opportunity to try himself in the NHL. It’s a very good story.
In the summer, Askarov left for North America. He played 22 games in Milwaukee, saving 90.5% of shots and making two crackers. He was even recognized as the AHL Player of the Week. Guest on featured show. He is now making his NHL debut. How do you rate these six months in the development of a young goalkeeper? In what ways did Yaroslav become stronger?
– The Nashville system has a fairly capable team of goaltending coaches. We were in contact with them even when Yarik performed in St. Petersburg. He was now gaining experience playing in North America for Milwaukee.
After watching a cut of the highlights of his first NHL game, I won’t say that anything has changed dramatically in Askarov’s game. No, the established basis has remained the same. Yaroslav plays the same hockey. I didn’t see anything new or different. It’s just polish what he did. Additional mental experience, confidence to play North American hockey.
– That is, Nashville develops Askarov’s base and skills established in SKA?
– Absolutely. Last year, while I was still working at SKA, we were in close contact with the Nashville goalie coaches. Everywhere they work differently, and these guys really approached it thoughtfully and thoroughly. Nashville has good goalies. I would say we have the same style of play, so it was easy for Yarik to adapt to that.
— What can you say about the two stereotypes about Askarov? The first is that he didn’t reach the senior level in SKA, so he wasn’t allowed to play. And the second stereotype is his frequent loss from the club during the game. Prior to his departure, he played just 16 KHL games in three seasons, with a 93.7% save percentage. On the other hand, maybe his time in the MHL and KHL gave him something valuable? The same stats show that he had a great run in the playoffs of those leagues.
– In my opinion, Askarov could have played more in the KHL. But as it is, so it is. I remember how Yarik made his KHL debut in November 2019. And the next season, 2020/21, when there was a pandemic, he played nine matches, won five. He played very well, powerful, showed his potential.
The main thing here is that SKA prepared Yaroslav for professional hockey, he went to North America as an almost ready-made goalkeeper. I spoke about it immediately when Yarik left, and I’m very happy that Yaroslav is developing and growing now, and that our hockey can have another strong goalie.
What do you think of the second stereotype? There was an absolutely toxic environment around Askarov’s match at the MFM. It was created by fans and journalists who trolled and strangled the young goalkeeper because of his mistakes. I don’t know how Yaroslav himself perceived this. But in America, he found himself on Wednesday, when he was not fired and allowed to develop calmly. Finally, there is progress. Is it true ?
“I would not want to return to this artificially created unhealthy atmosphere. But you are right to say that our media environment is different from that of North American hockey. In our country, young men are assessed in a completely different way, attention is drawn to something completely different. On behalf of the professionals, I would say that sometimes it takes a while. And on the other side of the ocean, the analysis of hockey is on a completely different level, it is presented in a different way. All moments and episodes of hockey are meticulously analyzed. They note each player’s good and successful actions, who could do what and why it didn’t work. The focus is on the positive aspects of the game rather than the negative ones. That’s the difference. The background of the media space is different.
I remember how Yarik was criticized after the next World Junior Championship, that his club constantly fell from his hand. He then gave an interview about it, and I explained a lot in the press. I just couldn’t say it all then, but now I can. Then Askarov suffered a slight injury to the hand with which he held the stick. Therefore, he could not hold her powerfully and firmly. We have hidden this reason. Moreover, the opponent very actively played against Yaroslav on the spot. I had to be in contact a lot, and the stick was just tight or jammed.
Yarik – well done, did not refer to a weakened brush, did not complain. He preferred to remain a man and made no excuses. In general, he was unresponsive and undistracted by the hype going on around him. He just grew and went for his purpose.
– You worked remotely with Rangers goaltender Igor Shesterkin even last season, when he won the Vézina Trophy as the league’s best goaltender. Do you have the same contact with Askarov now?
– These are different situations. Shesterkin and I are still in touch and discussing what is needed. Although again I am not climbing. We’ve had a very busy year and we’ve prepared well for the season. This season, a little less communication.
But with Yarik, we communicate on the level of “hello, goodbye, I wish you good luck”. There’s no working contact, but I’m not interfering, because I know some really good guys work with him in Nashville, and there’s no need to duplicate them.
“Nashville has a very good goaltender, Yuse Saros. Yeah, and second goalkeeper Kevin Lankinen is pretty good. What shines for Askarov in such a competitive environment?
– Management decisions at NHL clubs are made a little differently from ours. There, it’s a business, and each player is seen according to his contract.
Saros, 27, and Askarov, 20, are signed until 2025, while Lankinen could leave the club after this season. So much for Nashville’s goalie tandem for the next two years.
Yarik has a good chance to establish himself there, to play in Nashville on an ongoing basis. Yes, Saros is strong, no doubt. But it’s very difficult to run a marathon of exactly 82 games, so Askarov will have chances. And it happens that the youngster surpasses the veteran. Remember how Shesterkin started out with the New York Rangers and how great goaltender Henrik Lundqvist ended his Broadway career a little earlier than he wanted.
Without a doubt, Askarov’s mental, technical and physical potential will allow him to become one of Nashville’s premier goalies. So far, that’s been achieved in the AHL 70-80%, and in the NHL it’s only just beginning to happen. And here a lot depends on how much game time Yaroslav will be given. I believe everything will be fine for him, and Askarov in the NHL will become a very strong elite goaltender. After all, he’s only 20 and goaltenders usually peak at 25-26. Yaroslav is developing quite rapidly and he is only at the beginning of his journey.
Source : MatchTV
I’m Emma Smith, a dedicated journalist and avid storyteller. I have been writing for news websites for the past 5 years, reporting on hockey news and delivering in-depth analysis of the sport. In my current role as Author at Athletistic, I write about hockey events from around the world to keep followers up-to-date with what’s happening in the sport.
