Predators reassign forward Egor Afanasyev to AHL

The Nashville Predators have reassigned forward Egor Afanasyev to the AHL’s Milwaukee Admirals, according to an announcement made by the team Wednesday.

Afanasyev, 22, scored his first career NHL goal in Monday’s win versus the Calgary Flames. He made his NHL debut on March 11 versus the Los Angeles Kings and went on to appear in 17 total games, averaging 10:51 of ice time with 23 hits and 13 blocked shots.

The 6-foot-4, 211-pound forward has also scored a career-high 13 goals for Milwaukee, adding 13 assists for 26 points in 55 contests at the AHL level. Nashville selected Afanasyev with the 45th overall pick in the 2019 NHL Draft.

He may not be ready yet for full-time NHL action, but Afanasyev remains a talented shooter with a power-forward type game that makes him one of the more tantalizing prospects in the Nashville system. With his first lengthy NHL recall under his belt, he’ll return to Milwaukee a more seasoned professional, especially after competing in high-stakes games with the Predators down the stretch.