'Nothing Personal': Sharks' Yaroslav Askarov Has Nothing Against Predators; Set To Make First Start Against Former Team

San Jose Sharks goaltender Yaroslav Askarov will make his first start against the Nashville Predators on Thursday night.

The Sharks will face the Predators for the second time in three days. This matchup comes just 48 hours after Askarov, the backup goalie, watched his team blow a 5-1 lead and lose 7-5.

The 22-year-old was drafted 11th overall in the 2020 NHL Draft and played three games for the Predators. Askarov requested a trade in the 2024 offseason to seek more playing time in the NHL. The Predators re-signed Juuse Saros to a long-term extension and signed Scott Wedgewood as the primary backup, likely causing the trade request from Askarov.

San Jose acquired Askarov, Nolan Burke, and a third-round draft pick from the Predators on August 23. The Sharks traded Magnus Chrona, David Edstrom, and the Vegas Golden Knights' 2025 first-round draft pick to complete the deal.

Related: BREAKING: Sharks Acquire Yaroslav Askarov From Predators

Despite the rocky ending in Nashville, Askarov is unfazed by his first opportunity to play against his former team.

"It's just another game," Askarov said. "Nothing personal."

While Askarov might not admit to any extra emotions about Thursday's game against the Predators, that's not to say he doesn't look back fondly on his time with the Predators and their AHL affiliate, the Milwaukee Admirals.

"There were really great emotions for me going back to Nashville," Askarov said.

Askarov caught up with a few former Admirals teammates during pre-game warmups in Nashville. Some players who spoke to Askarov include Zachary L'Heureux, Fedor Svechkov, Spencer Stastney, and Michael McCarron.

Askarov told reporters he wouldn't be chirping his former teammates but wouldn't stay quiet during tonight's game.

"Not trash talking, but I try to talk all the time," Askarov said. "I will talk tonight, 100%."

Askarov harbors no resentment towards the Predators and is looking forward to treating Thursday's game just like any other. Sharks head coach Ryan Warsofsky knows this is a special opportunity for Askarov, even if Askarov won't admit it.

"You can't run from human emotion. You can't run from the feeling he's going to have tonight playing against his old team," Warsofsky said. "He's an ultra-competitor. So if there's one goalie I'd have in the net tonight, it'd be him."

Askarov knows from experience the challenges he will face Thursday night against Nashville and mentioned that he is excited to face NHL superstars Filip Forsberg and Roman Josi.

"It was fun to practice against those guys the last two years," Askarov said. "Tonight [won't] be fun to play against [them]."

With the San Jose Sharks on a four-game losing streak and the Predators on a four-game winning streak, all the Russian netminder wants to do is get his team a win.

"Try to find a win," Askarov said. "Try to give my boys a chance to win a hockey game tonight."

After missing training camp and the start of the season with an injury, Askarov began his Sharks career in the AHL with the San Jose Barracuda. In nine games in the NHL this season, Askarov has a 3-4-2 record, a .912 save %, and a 2.58 GAA.

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