Why The Avalanche Should Be Asking About Askarov

Yes, the Colorado Avalanche just spent their top pick in the 2024 NHL Draft on a goaltender, one who may be in North America next season. Yes, they also used two more draft picks on goaltenders a few hours later. And yes, they seem to be set in net for next season with an Alexandar Georgiev/Justus Annunen tandem.

But if there’s one position I’m never truly comfortable at, it’s goaltending. One season, it looks like you’ve found your starter for the next 3-5 years. The next season, that same goaltender feels like the biggest weakness on the team. That’s why I’d always be looking to see what I can do to upgrade in net, and why I think the Avalanche should be asking the Nashville Predators about Yaroslav Askarov.

Now, Askarov’s numbers at the AHL level don’t exactly jump off the page, but I’ll get to why I’m not terribly worried about that right now.

I’ve watched a lot of Ilya Nabokov over the last few months, including his preseason games from this past week. I’m a believer. I see exactly why the Avalanche felt comfortable taking him higher than they’ve taken any goaltender in a draft since 1998. That being said, as good as he was last season, it was still just one season. You need to see it again to feel really comfortable with his future in the NHL, and even then, he’s got to adjust to North America whenever he does cross the pond.

In front of Nabokov you have Justus Annunen and Alexandar Georgiev. The latter had a wildly inconsistent season before playing well in the playoffs, while the former earned himself a two-year extension with his solid play at the NHL level. To many, they’re seen as a bottom 1/3 tandem in the NHL. I understand that sentiment. Annunen’s NHL numbers were really good, but he didn’t have to face very many good teams. That’s not exactly abnormal, but would the Avalanche feel comfortable running with him if Georgiev falters? And which Georgiev will the Avalanche get this season?

Beyond those two, the Avalanche don’t really have a third goaltender that inspires confidence – no offense to Kevin Mandolese or Trent Miner.

Is Askarov himself a sure bet at the NHL level? Not at all. I feel like no goalie ever is. But he is a very athletic, very talented, very confident, and very young at just 22. His AHL numbers aren’t fantastic, but neither were Annunen’s. You don’t really know what a guy is at the next level until they get a chance to play there, and sometimes guys just respond better to the more structured environment of the NHL. Given his talent level, that could easily be the case with Askarov.

Barry Trotz has been asking for a lot for the young goaltender, and I get why, but it has always felt like what he’s been asking for is unrealistic. You usually look at the trade return for any goaltender and go – “that’s it?” Just ask Bruins fans what they think of the Linus Ullmark return earlier this summer. Now you throw in a trade demand and the threat of the player not reporting to the AHL, and it feels like Trotz is kind of backed into a corner here.

Askarov wants to play in the NHL right now, and that won’t happen in Nashville. Would it happen in Colorado? That’s a fair question. If you’re the Avalanche and you’re interested, that’s something you try to talk to the player and the agent about. Is the problem the AHL or is the problem the situation in Nashville? Because his path to starting on the Predators is almost non-existent with Juuse Saros signing a massive extension.

That wouldn’t exactly be the case with the Avalanche. Their current starter is one year away from unrestricted free agency, and if Askarov plays his cards right, he could be an option to take over. It just might take a little bit more patience on his end. There’s certainly a more clear path to the starting job in Colorado than there is in Nashville.

I’m not going to sit here and say another goaltender is Colorado’s greatest need right now. It would be silly to argue that. But good goaltending can cover up a few holes throughout the rest of your lineup, and if I’m Chris MacFarland, I’m at least asking Barry Trotz what it would take to bring Askarov to Colorado.