Young forward Egor Afanasyev missed last season’s list not so much because he lacked the talent but because he seemed to lack the desire to play for the San Jose Sharks. Mere weeks after the Sharks traded former first-round pick Ozzy Wiesblatt to the Nashville Predators for Afanasyev, the latter seemed to decide that his fortunes were better sought in the KHL. Even before training camp started, Afanasyev announced that he would play the 2024-25 season with CSKA Moscow in the KHL. This time last year, it looked like the Sharks had surrendered Wiesblatt for no return at all.
But after one season in the KHL, Afanasyev apparently had a change of heart. In a move that seemed to come out of the blue, he announced that he wanted to return to North America. In a signing that took many by surprise, the Sharks announced on May 19, 2025, that Afanasyev would return to the NHL and had just signed a one-year contract worth $800,000. It’s a one-way deal, which means that even though the forward is waivers eligible, he’ll be making $800,000 whether he’s playing for the Sharks or the Barracuda.
During his 53 games with CSKA Moscow, Afanasyev scored at the level of a third or fourth liner in a professional league. He had 21 points (7 G, 14 A) and was relatively responsible with 14 penalty minutes. He had four points (2 G, 2 A) in six postseason games.
Position: Forward
Height: 6’4″
Weight: 211 pounds
Age: 24
Date of Birth: Jan. 23, 2001
Draft Year: 2019 (45th overall pick by the Nashville Predators)
Shoots: Left
2025-26 Team: San Jose Sharks/San Jose Barracuda
What we like
Afanasyev certainly feels like one of those players who could edge out the likes of Ty Dellandrea and Carl Grundstrom for a spot on the third and fourth line. He is a big body with soft hands, and that’s something that the Sharks need to offset players like Macklin Celebrini, William Eklund and Will Smith, who will rely more on their skill than their heavy presence along the boards.
General Manager Mike Grier appears to be intent on creating a team with an identity line, one that will chip pucks in and punish teams on the boards while still contributing to the scoreboard. Afanasyev, if he’s willing to be a role player, could fill that role. At 6-foot-4 and 211 pounds, he certainly has the size to offer the heavy-hitting aspect of the game. Without having watched much of his game to date, it’s hard to say if his skill level is above that of Grundstrom’s or Dellandrea’s, but we believe it’s at least good enough to make the conversation interesting, which is why he gets a look at 25th on our list.
Afanasyev can be relied upon to kill penalties, something that he has done throughout his career leading up to the NHL. With the Milwaukee Admirals in 2023-24, he was aggressive shorthanded and led the team with five shorthanded goals.
We also like the maturity that Afanasyev has developed after a year in Russia. He certainly could have stayed in Russia and settled in for the long haul, but he decided to face the challenge head-on and put in the work to try to make the NHL. We appreciate that. It shows he’s in the right headspace, and that could go a long way in terms of how he shows up to camp and what he does in the next few months to make the team.
Even if he doesn’t make the Sharks out of camp, it could bode well for what he does with the Barracuda and if he gets the call up from the AHL sooner rather than later.
Areas of improvement
Readjusting to North American play will be one area of improvement for Afanasyev, though we’re not particularly concerned since he’s played so many seasons in North America with the Milwaukee Admirals in the AHL already. He also has 19 games with the Nashville Predators over two seasons, so he’s had a taste of the NHL.
With Afanasyev, he has likely reached the peak of his skill level, so the true concern with him will be consistency. Can he string together a series of games where he’s doing what he needs to do to stick with the big club? In his case, that will be maintaining a defensive responsibility while using his size and strength to win battles along the boards.
Consistency, along with burying the frustration level, will be key for Afanasyev. What often happens with players of Afanasyev’s age and skill level is that they get frustrated that they haven’t broken through to the NHL yet. Managing that frustration and continuing to work hard will be the test this season, especially if he is sent down to the AHL.
For Afanasyev, his mental game will be tested.
What’s next for Afanasyev?
Where Afanasyev starts this season will depend on how he comes into camp. There are a few spots open, and it’s possible that he edges players out for those spots. It would not be surprising if he did. That said, there are players who have inside tracks on those spots, say Michael Misa, and there are players who seem to be defaulted into spots, such as Dellandrea and Grundstrom. Afanasyev will have to work extra hard if he wants to take a spot away from one of those players.
Odds are he’ll find himself with the Barracuda to start the season, but he’ll get at least a few chances with the Sharks throughout the season as injuries and trades start working their way through the organization. He’s on a one-year deal and will likely be an unrestricted free agent after this season unless he meets certain contract requirements so the team regains control.
Barring an explosive showing of 10-20 goals, it’s hard to see the Sharks re-signing Afanasyev after this season, but it might be possible that he works his way into becoming an impactful trade piece at the deadline for a team looking for affordable scoring depth that comes with a bit of umph.
Highlight
Before leaving North America in 2024, Afanasyev was part of the Admirals’ Calder Cup playoffs run. He scored a hat trick in the team’s series against the Griffins, including the overtime winner.
EGOAT for a reasonš¤ā
— American Hockey League (@TheAHL) May 23, 2024
ā @mkeadmirals forward Egor Afanasyev tallied all three goals last night for the series lead in #MILvsGR. ā pic.twitter.com/6Yi1q5YeFa
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