How Nashville Predators goalie Yaroslav Askarov spent break: Hint: A bathhouse was involved

Lack of time prevented Yaroslav Askarov from going home to Russia during the three-day Christmas break.

So the 21-year-old Milwaukee Admirals/Nashville Predators goalie did the next best thing.

He made himself feel at home far away from home.

"Me and a couple more Russians, we went to Chicago for a few days," Askarov said Wednesday, soon after he was recalled from the Admirals to fill in for a sick Kevin Lankinen against the Carolina Hurricanes. "We were in a bathhouse, Russian sauna.

"It was awesome."

Back in black pads

Askarov's impromptu visit to Nashville likely carried with it more of a chance to watch and learn than a chance to play.

Which was fine by him.

After all, the Predators' 2020 first-round pick is always trying to do that — on the ice, with the language, all of it. His one game of NHL experience notwithstanding.

Still, he made his second NHL appearance, replacing Juuse Saros to start the third period Wednesday.

"Every day you want to be better," he said from his temporary corner locker stall at Bridgestone Arena, his black goalie pads freshly removed. "That's it."

Askarov is 8-6-1 with a 2.54 goals-against average and a .908 save percentage in the AHL this season. He was 26-16-5 with three shutouts, a 2.69 goals-against average and a .910 save percentage last regular season and helped the Admirals advance to the Calder Cup semifinals.

Predators coach Andrew Brunette had simple, sound advice for how the young goalie could best make use of his time with the team.

"Just watch 'Juice' (Juuse Saros)," Brunette said. "How hard he works, how hard he prepares, how hard he competes consistently.

" 'Asky' is a wonderful young goalie that's still learning. Goalies sometimes take a little bit longer, a little bit more ups and downs. . . . Any time you get to watch one of the best in the game do his business, you'd be crazy not to pay attention."

Russian bath house: 'Everyone needs to try it'

Askarov has hit his share of bumps this season. He was pulled from a start in early December after allowing four goals on 14 shots. Twice he has allowed five goals in a game.

He's far from polished but there's plenty of potential and plenty of proof to back up some of the hype.

Askarov was 17 years old in 2019 when he made his KHL debut, making him the second-youngest goalie in league history. He was 20 when he made his first NHL appearance in January, making him the youngest ever to play the position for the Predators. He was an AHL All-Star last season.

And he's been doing a lot of learning in Milwaukee, he said, where he's goalie partners with veteran Troy Grosenick. But mum was the word when the usually talkative Askarov was asked about that.

"Just learning everything," he said. "Not just hockey. It's always going to be a secret."

As for the Russian bathhouses, they are historically important to natives of Askarov's country. Sometimes called a "banya," they often are used to encourage bonding.

"Everyone needs to try it. It's the best place," he said. "After that you feel like you're only born now."

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This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Nashville Predators goalie Yaroslav Askarov soaking in call-up