Afanasyev Enjoying 'Confidence Boost' from Preds Ahead of AHL Postseason

Of the six rookies to make their NHL debut with the Nashville Predators this season, none had quite the same journey as Egor Afanasyev.
At his third NHL training camp in September, the 22-year-old forward was favored by many to make the jump to the majors - so much so, that his assignment back to the AHL-affiliate Milwaukee Admirals made the cut in the NHL Network's Behind the Glass docuseries.
"Be ready," Admirals Head Coach Karl Taylor said during a meeting featured in the show's second episode. "I want to give you a lot, but you've got to hold on to it."
With a grin, Afanasyev replied:
"No other way, coach."

Afanasyev made good on his promise and spent his second AHL season recording the fourth-most goals (13) and 10th-most points (26) on the Admirals roster in just 57 appearances.
The hard work did not go unnoticed, and in March, the young forward got his long-awaited call up to Nashville, playing in 17 games with increasingly dire playoff implications - even tallying his first goal in a must-win April matchup against the Calgary Flames.
"I appreciated the experience, getting called up and helping the team," Afanasyev said. "We almost got that wild card spot, but still I think we were on a great run there for a while. And I'm just thankful for the opportunity and excited to start things in the playoffs with Milwaukee."
In mid-April, Afansyev returned to Milwaukee along with eight of his Preds teammates. With several NHL games and his first career goal under his belt, the rookie winger is now eager to carry the momentum into his second Calder Cup Playoffs appearance.
"It's just a full confidence boost knowing that I can play in the NHL]," he said. "I got my first goal, so I'm thankful for that as well. Now it's just exciting."
Afansyev also enters the postseason on Friday with the value of past experience, playing in five of the Admirals' playoff contests in 2022.
"Experience matters," Afanasyev said. "And I think as long as you learn from experience, I think it'll help you down the stretch. And it's the same for me. It's definitely going to help with the pressure and I think in some moments where you just need to keep your cool."
Now a two-year American League pro with extra playing time in the NHL and the Calder Cup Playoffs, Afansyev will look for success among veteran Ads leadership in Stanley Cup Champion Zach Sanford and Calder Cup Champions Roland McKeown and Kevin Gravel, offensive firepower in Luke Evangelista, Kiefer Sherwood and Phil Tomasino and elite goaltending in Yaroslav Aksarov and Devin Cooley.
"Obviously, on paper it's one thing, but now we've just got to put it together," Afanasyev said. "Expectations are high for this group. And I think we've got to take it day-by-day and not look two months ahead. We've got to respect our opponent right now. Manitoba is a great team that we played against multiple times this season. And we have a lot of great players, but we've just got to put it together now."
Follow Afanasyev and the rest of the Admirals in postseason action starting Friday, April 28 at 7 p.m. CT as Milwaukee takes on Manitoba in Game One of the AHL's Central Division Semifinals at Canada Life Centre. Fans can tune in to postseason action by
[purchasing an AHLTV Playoffs All-Access subscription
or by following the

social media channels.
Photo courtesy of Milwaukee Admirals