When the San Jose Sharks traded for Egor Afanasyev from the Nashville Predators in 2024, he was already on his way back to Russia.
The 2019 second-round pick has played 19 games in the NHL, but the majority of his professional hockey has come at the AHL level. In the 2023-24 season, Afanasyev had 54 points (27 goals, 27 assists) in 56 games.
The Sharks traded 2020 first-round pick Ozzy Wiesblatt in a one-for-one deal for Afanasyev. While Wiesblatt played for the Milwaukee Admirals, Afanasyev left to return to his home country of Russia and play in the KHL.
Afanasyev confirmed with reporters on Thursday that he signed a 3-year contract with CSKA Moskva. He was able to get out of the contract during the 2025 offseason, as he had his sights set on the NHL.
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“I agreed on something before the trade. There was no way back,” the winger explained. “My agent talked to me after winter. I really wanted to [get back to the NHL], because it’s a dream for everyone to be here. It wasn’t a hard decision at all, to be honest. Luckily, I got out of the contract there and came here.”
Afanasyev is ready to go to work to make the Sharks’ opening night roster
The San Jose Sharks forward signed a one-year $800k contract this summer. At 24 years old, Afanasyev knows he’s got a lot to learn and is willing to do whatever it takes. The winger told reporters that he won’t be deterred if he doesn’t make the Sharks’ opening night roster.
“Everything happens for a reason. Certain situations led me here, led me to Russia. You just got to make the best out of it. Get your shots and get your opportunities,” Afanasyev said. “Show up every day. Like Coach Warsofsky said, ‘Be Where Your Feet Are.’ I work [and] do everything I can to be here.”
The winger has impressed Warsofsky throughout camp, stating that he’s been one of the most consistent forwards so far.
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“He skates. He’s got the size. It seems like he’s got pretty good details in his game without the puck. That will be something that will really help him in the long run,” Warsofsky said. “I think he’s looked good, really, every day. His skating stands out to me.”
Afanasyev knows that in order ot make the NHL, he needs to be a complete player. He’s trying to mold his game to be a complete 200-foot winger.
“[Be a] power forward PK [guy]. Showing the coach that I can be out on the ice in important decisions,” Afanasyev said. “That’s exactly what I’m trying to do right now. I was talking to coach prior to camp. It’s just a mental thing that you gotta adapt to. I have a big body, and I have speed and explosiveness. I’ll be fine with that role.”
Afanasyev is in a heated competition to be one of the Sharks’ wingers on opening night, arguably the biggest competition on the entire roster.
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