Former San Jose Sharks goaltender Evgeni Nabokov comments on the Yaroslav Askarov trade

PUBLICATION

James Connelly
August 25, 2024 (2:41 PM)

SHARE THIS STORY

Evgeni Nabokov was one the main man in net for the San Jose Sharks and he has now commented on their future man in net: Yaroslav Askarov.

Earlier this week, San Jose Sharks GM Mike Grier brokered a blockbuster trade with Nashville Predators GM Barry Trotz by making a move to acquire 2020 11th overall pick Yaroslav Askarov for a massive haul.

San Jose received Askarov, forward Nolan Burke, and a 2025 3rd round pick in exchange for a 2025 1st round pick, David Edstrom who is a 2023 first-round pick, and goaltending prospect Magnus Chrona. Clearly, San Jose wanted Askarov and was willing to part with a king's ransom for one of the best, if not the best, goaltending prospects in the NHL.

Following the trade, former San Jose Sharks starter and current San Jose Sharks director of goaltending Evgeni Nabokov commented on the move to acquire Askarov.

"He wants to be a franchise goalie, and we want to help him with that, but to achieve that, you need many qualities. You don't just have to be a good goalie on the ice, but you also have to be hard-working, mentally stable, get along with your teammates, be a leader. He has to be the backbone of the team; for that, you need character and be special." - Evgeni Nabokov on Yaroslav Askarov

It is clear that Nabokov is confident in Askarov's abilities but believes that he needs to display more qualities to one day become that franchise netminder in San Jose. With Nabokov being one of the few people in the world who can say that they were a franchise-level NHL netminder, it is clear he knows what it takes.

Nabokov will now work closely with Askarov in order to help him to one day reach his potential and become one of the most dominant netminders in the NHL.

Source: San Jose Hockey Now
Evgeni Nabokov on Yaroslav Askarov: �This is not just another goalie that we acquired'