Egor Afanasyev is heading to the KHL.
The San Jose Sharks acquired the Russian winger from the Nashville Predators in exchange for winger Ozzie Wiesblatt on June 23.
Afanasyev, a second-round pick by Nashville in 2019, was having a strong season, leading the Milwaukee Admirals with 27 goals and 54 points. But while Afanasyev seemed to be looking for NHL playing time with the Predators, it wasn't to be. In his two seasons with Nashville, the 6-foot-4 winger only scored one goal in 19 games.
The San Jose Sharks are building a formidable forward line with the free-agent signings of forwards Tyler Toffoli and Alexander Wennberg, as well as the additions of Barclay Goodrow, Carl Grundstrom and Ty Dellandrea.
Sources say the 23-year-old is set to return to CSKA, who own his rights, for two years, while the Sharks, who just became RFA-eligible, will retain his NHL rights.
For now, it looks like the San Jose Sharks are missing out on Wiesblatt, a 2020 first-round draft pick who has yet to play an NHL game. The 5-foot-10, temperamental winger struggled in the Sharks' system and was loaned to the Admirals for the playoffs. Apparently the Nashville Predators traded a limited but more promising prospect for a prospect who is apparently retiring and liked what they saw.
