The Hockey News checks in on recent AHL netminders in the NHL. From call-ups to lights-out performances, we recap goaltender news and notes.
Chris Driedger's long road back to the NHL was triumphant, to say the least.
The 29-year-old, who conceded the crease in Seattle to Joey Daccord while battling injuries, has spent the better part of the last two seasons with the AHL's Coachella Valley Firebirds, where he's put up a stellar 2.20 GAA and .916 SP with two shutouts in 15 games so far this season.
On Wednesday Driedger silenced any doubters as to whether or not he was ready for a return to the major leagues. The third-round draft pick of the Senators in 2012 was electric on the road against the Calgary Flames, allowing just one goal on 37 shots as the Kraken eeked out a tight 2-1 win.
Driedger is expected to compete for the starting position with Daccord with Philipp Grubauer sidelined with a lower-body injury.
Further south and we doubt it was the picture-perfect debut Magnus Chrona imagined for his first taste of NHL hockey on Thursday night.
The 23-year-old was pulled after allowing four consecutive goals on 12 shots in the first period. The Sharks failed to provide anything in the way of run support, as the resurgent Oilers mowed over San Jose 5-0.
The fifth overall draft pick of the Tampa Bay Lightning in 2018 has split time between the AHL's Barracuda and ECHL's Wichita Thunder this season after a 22-win campaign with the University of Denver. Through 11 starts in the American League this season Chrona carries a 3.35 GAA and .900 SP with a 3-6-2 record.
Elsewhere, Yaroslav Askarov made a surprise appearance in net for the Predators on Wednesday as Juuse Saros was pulled after allowing five goals on just 14 shots against the Hurricanes. Askarov stopped all six shots he faced in relief.
The 11th overall pick of the Predators in 2020 made his NHL debut last season, conceding four goals in a loss. In 15 contests with the AHL's Milwaukee Admirals this season the highly touted 21-year-old has put together an 8-6-1 record with a 2.45 GAA and .908 SP.
Askarov will likely stay in a backup position to Saros while Kevin Lankinen battles an illness, and depending on his status could suit up for one of the Preds' back-to-back contests this weekend.
Finally, the goaltending carousel continues in New Jersey, as Akira Schmid has been demoted to the American Hockey League's Utica Comets, while Nico Daws has been called up for the Devils' upcoming road trip.
Schmid, 23, has had a rough start to the '23-24 season, currently sitting with a 5-7-1 record through 15 games with the Devils, holding a 3.26 GAA and .893 SP. He could see a start tonight with Utica as they face the Providence Bruins.
Daws, also 23, should make his season debut for the Devils on this current road trip, with the club set for a back-to-back against Ottawa and Boston. Through three games with the Comets this season the 84th overall draft pick in 2020 holds a strong 2.39 GAA and .929 SP.