How Avs' Blackwood helped the Sharks' future franchise goalie: Not everybody's like that'

"Yaroslav Askarov did not know many people inside the San Jose Sharks organization in Aug. 2024 when general manager Mike Grier acquired him from the Nashville Predators. Fellow goalie Mackenzie Blackwood, who also came to the Sharks via trade a little more than a year earlier, offered the Russian-born Askarov his support and helped him get adjusted to his new surroundings. It's something Askarov will never forget."

"I'm still not speaking (English) really well, but last year was worse, Askarov said. He was like, Hey buddy, if you need to say something, just take your time. I'm going to be waiting. I'm going to be listening to you. I'm going to try to (help you) understand everything.' Not everybody's like that."

"He doesn't have bad days, Askarov said of Blackwood. He always has fun. He's smiling, jokes around. It helps during the long hockey season, because you're keeping your focus most of the time, but he's that type of guy who makes your life easier and makes your life more fun. Askarov and Blackwood were again set to be on opposite sides of the ice on Wednesday night when the Sharks faced the league-leading Avalanche at Ball Arena. In the Sharks' 3-2 overtime win over Colorado on Nov. 1, Askarov stopped 36 of 38 shots while Blackwood made 20 saves in what was his first game of the season."

Yaroslav Askarov arrived in San Jose in August 2024 after a trade from Nashville and initially knew few people in the organization. Fellow goalie Mackenzie Blackwood, acquired earlier, provided personal support, encouraged Askarov as he worked on English, and helped him adjust. Askarov credited Blackwood's personality and steady play for easing the long season and boosting team morale. The Sharks later traded Blackwood to Colorado for Alexandar Georgiev, Nikolai Kovalenko, and draft picks, but those players underperformed and returned to Russia. Askarov has delivered strong goaltending, including stopping 36 of 38 shots in a 3-2 overtime win versus Colorado.

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