Predators Trade Egor Afanasyev To San Jose In Exchange For Ozzy Wiesblatt

Ozzy Wiesblatt got to play alongside Nashville Predators prospects this spring.

Now he’s a full-fledged member of the organization.

The Predators acquired Wiesblatt on Sunday in exchange for forward Egor Afanasyev, who was set to become a restricted free agent on July 1.

Swapping Afanasyev for Wiesblatt gives both players a fresh start as they push for NHL playing time.

Wiesblatt was loaned by the San Jose Sharks’ American Hockey League affiliate to the Milwaukee Admirals in March. The 22-year-old forward appeared in 31 total games with the Admirals, posting three goals and 12 assists with a plus-5 rating across the regular season and playoffs.

Before being loaned, the former first-round pick who has yet to play in an NHL game was having an underwhelming season with the San Jose Barracuda. He had registered just 11 points (3 goals, 8 assists) with a minus-9 rating in 34 games.

Afanasyev, a 2019 second-round selection by Nashville, spent the bulk of the past three years in Milwaukee. He’s fresh off his best performance with 54 points (27 goals, 27 assists) during the 2023-24 AHL regular season.

But during his time with the Predators, Afanasyev was unable to secure a consistent NHL role. The 23-year-old scored just once and had a minus-8 rating in 19 games with the club over the past two seasons.

Afanasyev is due a qualifying offer with his entry-level contract set to expire, while Wiesblatt still has one year remaining on his ELC.

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