The San Jose Sharks have the best odds to earn the first overall selection in the 2025 NHL Entry Draft, and after a tough 2024-25 campaign, it seems as though they are finally looking to turn their rebuilding ways into the start of being contenders again. While they seem open to trading their first-round pick, they could benefit from another top prospect to build around.
Related: Sharks’ Poor Record Doesn’t Tell the Story of Their Season
In this edition of Sharks News & Rumors, we take a look at Yaroslav Askarov’s minor injury issues, the future of Nikolai Kovalenko, Ryan Warsofsky, and Alex Georgiev, as well as some news about William Eklund.
Yaroslav Askarov Returns After Dealing With Illness
The San Jose Barracuda are ramping up for a playoff run, and it seems as though they’ll have some extra reinforcements coming back as Yaroslav Askarov will return to their lineup after dealing with an illness.
I am at #SJBarracuda practice this morning, and it's a good sign as Yaroslav Askarov jumps onto the ice. He missed the last game of the season due to illness.
— Max Miller (@Real_Max_Miller) April 22, 2025
Askarov, who is 22 years old, played 13 games in the NHL with the Sharks this season, winning four of them and posting a .896 save percentage (SV%) and a 3.10 goals-against-average (GAA). With the Barracuda in the American Hockey League (AHL), he played 22 games, posting a 2.45 GAA and a .923 SV%.
Sharks Letting Georgiev Walk
Staying on the conversation about goaltenders, it was revealed that Alexandar Georgiev will not be returning to the Sharks next season and will become an unrestricted free agent.
Georgiev says that he and Grier have already met and Grier told him that the #SJSharks won’t be retaining him. Georgiev will be a UFA
— Max Miller (@Real_Max_Miller) April 17, 2025
Georgiev, who is 29 years old, was acquired from the Colorado Avalanche earlier in the season in a deal that saw Mackenzie Blackwood sent the other way. In 31 games with the Sharks, he posted a 3.88 GAA and a .875 SV%. Georgiev leaving opens the door for Askarov next season, likely giving him a chance to become their full-time starting goaltender.
Warsofsky to Coach Team USA
On top of the Sharks putting faith in Ryan Warsofsky and his staff for the 2025-26 season, he was named head coach of Team USA for the upcoming 2025 IIHF World Championship.
Warsofsky, 37, was named the Head Coach of the Sharks on June 13, 2024. This is his first time as Head Coach for Team USA, and his second stint in the World Championships. He was previously the assistant coach in 2023. In that tournament, he helped guide Team USA to a fourth-place finish.
Kovalenko Has KHL Options
Nikolai Kovalenko was also traded to the Sharks this season, and it seems as though he may be another player who is on his way out. The two sides seem to be negotiating a new deal, but Kovalenkio and his camp have been open about the fact that he has options to return to the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL). Kovalenko, who is 25 years old, is a pending restricted free agent (RFA) who had three goals and nine assists for 12 points through 29 games with the Sharks this season.
Eklund Wants to Re-Sign With Sharks
Fans were ecstatic to hear that one of their star forwards, William Eklund, wants to re-sign with the Sharks when he is eligible to do so. He is signed through the 2025-26 season and is a pending RFA.
"Obviously, I want to be here."
— Sheng Peng (@Sheng_Peng) April 18, 2025
William Eklund on potentially signing an extension w/ #SJSharks this summer, why teams should draft his brother Victor.
From @FeliciaKellerDB: https://t.co/sFdp5aicV6
Eklund, who is 22 years old, scored 17 goals and added 41 assists for 58 points through 77 games this season. Throughout his career, he has scored 35 goals and added 75 assists for 110 points through 174 games, which comes out to a 0.63 points-per-game average.
As the 2024-25 postseason moves along, be sure to continue following The Hockey Writers as your source for news from around the NHL and the hockey world.
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