The Nashville Predators need to investigate their options for calling up Egor Afanasyev.
In the same draft that Philip Tomasino was selected in 2019, the Predators selected Afanasyev. Afanasyev, who had a lot of upside and was thought to be a possible steal, was selected in the second round at position 45 overall.
Since then, Tomasino has swiftly transitioned to a full-time schedule. In contrast to Afanasyev, who saw little NHL action until the conclusion of 2023–24, he has already participated in 133 NHL games and scored 64 points.
Ready for his next NHL opportunity, Afanasyev is competing for the Admirals in the AHL.
As of 2023–2024, Afanasyev has assumed command of the Admirals. With thirteen goals, he leads the team in scoring and, with nineteen points, he is tied for third place. In addition, he has an amazing 16.7 shooting percentage and has scored three of his 13 goals whilst on the power play.
First off, evaluating Afanasyev’s offensive production in just his first 17 Predators games doesn’t seem fair to me. That club was not even close to playing at full strength, and even though they were working hard to make the playoffs, head coach John Hynes was set to leave.
Although Afanasyev began his career in Milwaukee, he left two training camps in a row hoping to make the final roster cut. Though he was the guy many believed could play his way on, the first time was somewhat of a letdown rather than a huge surprise.
Afanasyev thought that the time had come in 2023 to transition full-time to the NHL. Again, that was untrue, but at least to start the season. In addition to claiming wingers Samuel Fagemo and Liam Foudy off waivers, the Predators stayed with their hardened veterans, Michael McCarron, Kiefer Sherwood, and Cole Smith.
Subsequently, Fagemo and Foudy were released. After the Kings returned Fagemo, Foudy signed with Milwaukee, where he has played in just two games thus far.
The Predators ought to investigate reintroducing Afanasyev into the starting lineup as soon as the NHL roster lock is lifted. It is imperative that they evaluate their 2019 draft selection now in order to acquire a stronger sample with a squad that is more offensively oriented and at full strength for Afanasyev to play on.
Not a 20-year-old prospect who was recently drafted, mind you. We’re talking about a player that was selected in the second round four years into his professional career, split between playing in the AHL and Russia. It’s time to watch what he can do in the NHL.
The Preds must ascertain Afanasyev’s status prior to the 2024 offseason.
Naturally, the Predators have a forward logjam, so it won’t be easy to make way for Afanasyev. It will require a regular in the lineup to be made a healthy scratch.Perhaps Yakov Trenin, who I doubt the Predators will keep as a UFA this offseason, is that player.
Maybe Afanasyev gets a chance because the Predators finally scratch Cole Smith or Kiefer Sherwood. Even while Smith and Sherwood have been excellent bottom-six players, you don’t necessarily see Sherwood and Afanasyev as long-term fixtures like you do.
There are two key things to keep in mind with Afanasyev’s current entry-level contract: he is waiver-exempt and will be an RFA this offseason. Therefore, you may bring up Afanasyev for a stint and observe how he performs on a club that is more offensively structured, as well as what kind of output he can provide. Sending him back down is always an option if his individual performance is lackluster and negatively impacts the team. Naturally, that is not what we want.
When the March 2024 trade deadline draws near, we’ll have to see if General Manager Barry Trotz trims some players from the roster. That will indicate if Afanasyev will receive permission to rejoin the NHL and, ideally, remain active indefinitely.
Before he becomes a restricted free agent this summer, the Predators front management has to know if Afanasyev is ready for the NHL long-term and can be a consistent contributor.