The Nashville Predators parted ways with former prospect Egor Afanasyev in June after spending most of the past three seasons in the AHL with the Milwaukee Admirals.
Afanasyev was especially effective last season, scoring 27 goals and 54 points in 56 AHL games, but played in just two games for the Predators. It was his final year before becoming eligible for waivers, and with such a deep roster and stiff competition to make the team, the 23-year-old was traded to the San Jose Sharks in exchange for former first-round pick Ozzy Weisblatt.
Related: Predators Send Egor Afanasyev to San Jose for Ozzy Wiesblatt
Afanasyev was an RFA and the Sharks made the forward a qualifying offer that he did not accept. He has now signed a three-year KHL contract with CSKA Moscow to return to his home country, presumably for a better opportunity, more money and to play where he feels most comfortable, around people who speak his native language.
The Predators got away with this deal, although Weisblatt may not be anything special. At least Nashville has a player with potential currently playing in their system and not across the world without any guarantee he will return. The only hope the Sharks have is at the end of the three-year contract, when Afanasyev still won’t be a UFA. He will have one more year and the signing rights, if he wants to return to the NHL, will belong to the Sharks.
This could be a good fit for the Sharks if Afanasyev develops well in the KHL. He may have had a chance to make the Sharks, but the team has a solid mix of young and veteran players that likely would have reduced his playing time.
Afanasyev has scored just one goal in 19 career NHL games. It will be a while before we see how everything will turn out in the end.
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