Top NHL goalie prospect Yaroslav Askarov suffers major setback after trade to the San Jose Sharks

Yaroslav Askarov is one of the NHL's top prospects, and after he was traded to the Sharks, he's now suffered a huge setback in what was meant to be a breakout year.

The San Jose Sharks improved an incredible amount this off-season, as they added several veterans through free agency and some young names through the draft, but it was the addition via trade that has this fanbase the most excited. That player bringing the excitement is top NHL goaltending prospect Yaroslav Askarov, who was acquired earlier in the season from the Nashville Predators after he struggled to crack their lineup.

Now, he's expected to be the starter of the future in San Jose, but his first season hasn't started off that way, as the 22-year old has officially been sent to the Sharks AHL affiliate, the San Jose Barracuda.

On the surface, being patient with the development of a 22-year goaltender isn't the worst way to approach things in San Jose, but given the price that was paid to bring him in after sitting behind Juuse Saros, so much more was expected in his first season. Over his last two campaigns in the AHL, Askarov has posted a .911 save percentage in both seasons with a 2.39 GAA last year in 48 games played, with many believing that he had proved everything he could down there.

However, with Mackenzie Blackwood and Vitek Vanacek in front of him on the depth chart, the team believed starting him in the AHL was the best move, so in a new environment, let's now see how the former No. 11 overall draft pick reacts.

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