Nashville Predators: Catching Up With the Top Prospects This Season

The Nashville Predators keep trying to push away the notion of a rebuild, despite making some offseason moves that suggested they were prepared to go down that road.

Instead it feels like the Predators are stuck not knowing what they want to do, and now they’re 2-4-0 to open the season. They did get an impressive, gutsy win over the Wild in their last game.

There’s still a lot to be excited about in the Predators prospect pool. Loads of offensive talent and scoring ability, and solid defensive prospects as well.

Last season in the COVID-19 shortened season, we didn’t get much to track in the minor league systems. This season everything is pretty much back to normal, including the return of the Milwaukee Admirals, the Predators’ AHL affiliate.

As this season hangs in the balance of becoming a disastrous one for the Predators, we’ll start seeing more and more these prospects get opportunities to gain more ice time. Time to check the progress of some top prospects.

Egor Afanasyev, Milwaukee Admirals (AHL)

There were rumblings that Egor Afanasyev would actually make the Nashville Predators roster for the opening game of the season after he had such a strong preseason.

Afanasyev was instead sent down to the Milwaukee Admirals and is getting plenty of ice time through the first three games. He’s racked up a goal and two assists, but was held off the scoresheet in Milwaukee’s latest game, a loss to the Chicago Wolves.

This is Afanasyev’s first action in the AHL of his hockey career after spending time in the OHL and KHL. It’s his last step of development before eventually getting his NHL opportunity, which could still happen at some point this season.

It’ll be fun to track Afanasyev’s progress and see what kind of stats he can pile up as one of Milwaukee’s top offensive threats. He’s getting time on their top line with Cody Glass and Cole Schneider and it will be very beneficial for him more so than getting buried on the depth chart with little ice time on the Predators.

Yaroslav Askarov, SKA St. Petersburg (KHL/VHL)

The pressure on Yaroslav Askarov is immense as he’s already been tagged as the next great goaltender for the Nashville Predators, and maybe even supplant Juuse Saros eventually. That’s how ultra talented this guy is.

Askarov’s numbers in limited action this season are holding up to his normal high level. His GAA in four KHL games this season is at a ridiculous 1.53, while boasting a .respectable .925 save percentage. He’s also seen some action in the VHL, the minor league of the KHL.

The interesting dilemma arising for the Predators is if Askarov keeps rising the ranks and retaining this insanely strong numbers, there’s going to be an interesting decision to make with Saros.

Saros just signed a four-year contract, and it’s kind of the perfect length to wait for when Askarov will be ready in the NHL as a full-time starter. At that point, the Predators will have to either move on from Saros or offer Askarov in a trade, which would bring a valuable player in return.

That’s way on down the road, but Askarov is definitely continuing his outstanding progress at age 19 overseas in the KHL and VHL. He’ll compete in the Karjala Cup in Finland in November:

David Farrance, Milwaukee Admirals (AHL)

There’s a prevailing belief that David Farrance would be better served playing for the Nashville Predators on their third defensive pairing over playing with the Milwaukee Admirals right now.

The Predators’ defensive woes on their third pairing is well-noted, and Farrance would definitely bring more offensive flare to that line that’s struggled to be anything more than a liability through the first six games.

Farrance has already made his NHL debut for the Predators, but much like Afanasyev, the coaches must have thought it was more beneficial for him to start off in Milwaukee. Farrance has tallied two assists so far, but hasn’t really found his offensive footing yet this season with just two shots on goal.

As a top line defenseman, Farrance is getting plenty of valuable playing time for the Admirals, but he’s also very probable of getting another NHL call-up at some point this season.

Juuso Pärssinen, TPS (Liiga)

Another prospect carrying a lot of buzz in the Nashville Predators prospect pool is Juuso Pärssinen, a talented a smooth skating centerman who has already made his splash internationally through the World Juniors and in the Finnish Liiga.

Pärssinen is currently on loan with TPS of the Liiga and is another hopeful future homegrown center prospect which the Predators franchise has sorely lacked over the years. The Predators have never had problem developing defensemen or goaltenders, but dynamic centers has never been their strength in scouting.

With Philip Tomasino already making his presence felt as a highly talented and productive center and winger, Pärssinen has the expectations to be the next outstanding center prospect to eventually get an NHL opportunity.

Pärssinen has seven points through seven games in what’s his third season with TPS of Liiga, and he’s got the “A” patch for associate captain. He’s still just 20-years-old and will gradually make his progress towards an NHL debut in the coming years.

It’s been really awesome seeing the Predators prospect pool get built up and show improvement after it got really thin during the build up to the Stanley Cup run.