The San Jose Sharks have brought in University of New Hampshire standout Kyle Chauvette on an amateur tryout. He’s stepping in as the emergency backup goalie for tonight’s clash with the Bruins, covering for Alex Nedeljkovic. Yaroslav Askarov, the usual backup, was sidelined by a sudden injury discovered during the morning skate, leaving the Sharks without enough time to call up a replacement from the AHL.
Now, if Chauvette finds himself in the crease tonight, it won’t be one of those Cinderella stories like David Ayres or Scott Foster. He just finished his senior year in college hockey, wrapping up UNH’s season in the Hockey East tournament against Northeastern. Chauvette, 24, transferred to UNH last summer after three seasons at Union College, where he earned ECAC Third Team All-Star honors in the 2024-25 season.
Despite lacking pro experience, Chauvette is eligible to suit up as an emergency backup. The 6’1", 190-pound goalie posted solid numbers for a UNH team that struggled in their conference, recording a .902 save percentage and 2.63 goals-against average over 34 games, along with five shutouts. He played nearly every game for the Wildcats and is likely to attract professional offers soon.
For the Sharks, who are deep in the hunt for a wild-card spot in the Western Conference, the pressing issue is the duration of Askarov's absence. The 23-year-old has become a staple in the NHL, starting 40 out of 62 games this season. However, the plan was to lean more on the veteran Nedeljkovic as the season winds down.
Askarov, a first-round pick in 2020, has had a mixed season. While he’s managed a 19-17-3 record, his .886 save percentage and 3.56 GAA rank among the league's lower tier for starters. His goals saved above expected is -11.2, the eighth-worst in the league according to MoneyPuck.
Nedeljkovic, with a .900 save percentage, 2.83 GAA, and 0.5 GSAx in his 22 starts and five relief appearances, was already poised to take on more starts. The Sharks are in a tight battle with the Kings, Kraken, and Predators for the second wild-card spot, with the Mammoth almost certain to grab the first. Askarov’s dip in form, particularly his .869 save percentage since February, raises questions about whether Nedeljkovic should be the go-to goalie if the Sharks make the playoffs.
It’s also important to consider that Nedeljkovic hasn’t had to handle consecutive starts since Askarov was out in December. How he handles an increased load is yet to be seen.
Enter Laurent Brossoit, acquired from the Blackhawks in January. Though he hasn’t played in the NHL since the 2023-24 season due to injuries, he’s been stellar in the AHL. With a .915 save percentage and 2.48 GAA in 14 games for the Barracuda, Brossoit stands out as a reliable veteran option, potentially a game-changer for the Sharks down the stretch.