TRADE: Sharks & Predators Pull Off Swap of 1st Rounder for 2nd Rounder

As a pending restricted free agent, Egor Afanasyev must have figured his days with the Nashville Predators were coming to an end, and on Sunday they dealt the 23-year-old former 2nd round pick to the San Jose Sharks.

The #Preds have acquired forward Ozzy Wiesblatt from the San Jose Sharks in exchange for forward Egor Afanasyev.

Details -> https://t.co/UZ8WzNTgqh pic.twitter.com/tgJO7o2no1
— Nashville Predators (@PredsNHL) June 23, 2024

In return, the Preds receive a former first-rounder in Ozzy Wiesblatt, a 22-year-old center.

Afanasyev only made it into two games with Nashville this past season, and just 19 overall as his three-year entry-level contract with the Predators expired. He recorded just one point. His output in the AHL, however, was more impressive. He was nearly a point-per-game player this past season, with 27 goals and 54 points in 56 games with the Milwaukee Admirals.

Wiesblatt parlayed a mid-season loan from the Sharks' AHL affiliate to the Admirals into a strong finish to his minor league season, giving the Predators a first-hand look at what he could do, likely initiating this trade. He racked up 9 points in 15 playoff games with the Preds' affiliate.

Wiesblatt was the No. 31 pick in the 2020 NHL Draft by the Sharks.