Nashville made a minor prospect deal on Sunday as they traded Egor Afanasyev to San Jose for right-winger Ozzy Wiesblatt. The Predators had their hands tied with Afanasyev as he had informed them that he expected to play in the NHL full-time next season or he would be heading back to his native country of Russia. The 23-year-old left-winger has appeared in 19 NHL games with the Predators in the last two seasons and has one goal, no assists and a -8 plus/minus.

Afanasyev was recalled earlier this month but was a healthy scratch in five of seven games. Afanasyev was the 45th overall pick of the Predators in the 2019 NHL Entry Draft and was enjoying a terrific season at the AHL level, scoring 42 points (21G / 21A) in 42 games.

Afanasyev was recalled along with Mark Jankowski on Monday in moves corresponding to Philip Tomasino being reassigned to the Milwaukee Admirals (AHL). Afanasyev was the 45th overall pick of the Predators in the 2019 NHL Entry Draft and has been enjoying a terrific season at the AHL level, scoring 42 points (21G / 21A) in 42 games.

Afanasyev failed to pick up a point in three games with the Nashville Predators in his last showing with Nashville but returns Saturday after spending only a day down in Milwaukee (AHL). The 22-year-old returns from the AHL, where he had 13 goals and 13 assists, across 55 games played prior to his callup.

Afanasyev failed to pick up a point in three games with the Nashville Predators and will return to Milwaukee (AHL) Thursday after being reassigned to the minors. The 22-year-old returns to the AHL, where he had 13 goals and 13 assists, across 55 games played prior to his callup.

Afanasyev was viewed as a potential first-round pick in last year's draft but fell to the Predators at the No.45 pick (second-round). The 6-foot-3, 205 lbs. Russian winger joined the Windsor Spitfires (OHL) for the 2020 campaign and led the team in goals (31) and was tied for first in points (67).