From Sept. 27-Oct. 6, Charlie Roumeliotis will profile one prospect per day — 10 total — leading up to the 2020 NHL Draft as the Blackhawks prepare to pick No. 17 overall.
Yaroslav Askarov
Position: Goaltender
Stay in the game with the latest updates on your beloved Chicago sports teams! Sign up here for our All Access Daily newsletter.
Height: 6-foot-3
Weight: 173 pounds
Glove hand: Right
Scouting report:
NHL
"We've been watching him for a few years. I think the thing that stands out is he's been very successful in international play and in big games. And as you get to know him a little bit more, there's part of his character that are very, very appealing." — Blackhawks Vice President of Amateur Scouting Mark Kelley
"A technically sound goaltender with good instincts capable of reading the game well. He's good at communicating, can react quickly and offers a very quick glove hand. He's a solid pro prospect." — NHL Central Scouting analysis
"The enormous gap to the next best goalie prospect in addition to his size and athleticism makes Askarov a viable option from pick No. 5 on." — Sam Cosentino, Sportsnet
Fit for Blackhawks:
One of the most talked about names in this year's draft is Askarov, who could be the first goaltender taken in the Top 10 since Carey Price went fifth overall to Montreal in 2005. He's that good.
It's highly unlikely Askarov will be available at No. 17, which means the Blackhawks would have to trade up to land him. But if they did get their hands on him somehow, Askarov could be a potential franchise-changing goaltender for a Blackhawks team looking to find Corey Crawford's successor sooner than later.