“Took a lot out of the season” – Egor Afanasyev eyes seizing opportunity to play for Nashville Predators this season

“Took a lot out of the season” – Egor Afanasyev eyes seizing opportunity to play for Nashville Predators this season

Egor Afanasyev

Young Russian ice hockey left winger Egor Afanasyev is hoping to make his National Hockey League (NHL) debut and extend his stay with the Nashville Predators this season. This took place after the 21-year-old forward prospect was one of the final cuts before the start of last season.

Selected in the second round (No. 45) of the 2019 NHL Draft, Afanasyev had a great maiden season with the Predators. The Tver native had 33 points in 74 games for the Milwaukee Admirals of the American Hockey League (AHL) last season, finishing eighth for them in goals (12) and seventh in assists (21).

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“I’m going to try to do everything I can to make the team,” Afanasyev said during the development camp in July, as quoted by NHL.com.

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“This was my first pro-North American season, and I think it was a good, successful season,” Afanasyev said. “I took a lot out of the season, being a pro, knowing how to approach the game, learning a lot from the older guys. I think it was a great experience.”

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“Would like to see Afanasyev hit the net a little more” 

Egor Afanasyev
Egor Afanasyev

Talking about Egor, Milwaukee coach Karl Taylor said that he made strides in 2021-22, improving his defensive play and ability to play without the puck. The 211 lbs, 6 ft 4-inch Afanasyev had 147 shots on goal, third on the Admirals only behind the likes of Cody Glass (165) and Cole Schneider (157) with a shooting percentage was 8.2 per cent.

“He’s got a great shot,” Taylor said. “He’s always had it. We’d like to see him hit the net a little more. That’s the focus for him because he can rip it. We get that percentage up a little higher and he’s going to up his goal total for sure, and also his assist total with second-chance opportunities for his linemates.”

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