Predators select Egor Afanasyev with No. 45 pick

The Nashville Predators selected Moscow native Egor Afanasyev with the 45th overall pick of the 2019 NHL Draft.

Egor Afanasyev

Position: Forward
Height: 6-foot-3
Weight: 204 lbs
Age: 18
Club: Muskegon Lumberjacks (USHL)
Nationality: Russian

(Stats courtesy: EliteProspects.com)

Afanasyev was the 16th-ranked North American skater in the draft by NHL Central Scouting.

The talented large-framed winger can overpower defenders and show off creativity around the net. He led the Lumberjacks in goals, assists, and points this past season. Afanasyev was named to the USHL’s third all-star team for his efforts.

What they're saying

"He has that body and core that would make you think he's just a power forward, but he has that small-player skill, too," David Gregory of NHL Central Scouting said, according to NHL.com's Mike Morreale. "He can go over you, dangle you and make you look silly and has really good hockey sense."

"He's a shooter and shows good speed off the wing," Greg Rajanen of Central Scouting said. "He can beat you off the rush and he'll also beat you by driving hard to the net and is never shy about shooting the puck. With his size he can also protect the puck."

Highlights