The Spotlight will be on Afanasyev in Nashville Predators Training Camp
Egor Afanasyev is going to be one of the more intriguing players to watch in training camp to see how he takes to Brunette’s more offensively friendly system. We’re all aware of how pure and lethal Afanasyev’s shot can be.
Afanasyev got his feet wet in the NHL late last season while the Nashville Predators were going through a rash of injuries and yet still remaining alive in the playoff hunt.
Even though he only had one point, a goal in the win that mathematically eliminated the Calgary Flames, Afanasyev looked rather comfortable out there and just fell victim to some bad puck luck and good goaltending.
Afanasyev recorded at least one shot on goal in 13 of the 17 games he appeared in, which illustrates that he wasn’t timid in looking for scoring chances, which is going to be key in Brunette’s system.
A strong showing in training camp and I give Afanasyev a decent chance to get a starting role in the opening game of 2023-24 either on the third or fourth line as a winger. I’m not even opposed to having Ryan Johansen center a bottom six line with Afanasyev on the wing.