Jeannot, Afanasyev Taking Different Paths on NHL Journey to Nashville

There are several ways to make it in the NHL.
Some players are highly sought after from the start, earning their way through impressive play from their youth and eventually hearing their name called from the podium at the NHL Draft. Others need to scrape and claw for their shot at NHL stardom, stopping across the world in junior leagues and hoping their skills prove their worth.
Both paths can yield results, and both paths are important parts of building an organization. The Nashville Predators have been fortunate enough to discover and develop a number of youthful forwards over the years, including both Tanner Jeannot and Egor Afanasyev.

Jeannot and Afanasyev have flashed their potential throughout 2021 Training Camp, but the root of their opportunity with the Predators has been incredibly different.
Unlike Afanasyev - the Predators second round pick in 2019 - Jeannot was not drafted. The Oxbow, Saskatchewan native landed on NHL radars during his time with the Moose Jaw Warriors of the WHL - a 267-game, four-year span. Nashville scouts took notice, and he finally got his chance after the Preds signed him as a 21-year-old in April of 2018 - and he's trended upwards ever since.
"When you look at his track record as a player, he always starts from the bottom up and gets better," Predators Head Coach John Hynes said. "He can rise to the occasion at each level… It's nice to have guys like that on the team - nothing has been given to him. He's earned everything. He's gone through some adversity as a player, has been told, 'No', he's been told, 'You're not good enough.' He's been told, 'You have to work on this to get to this level,' and to his credit, he takes it and does it, applies it and he's got the ability to play at this level. It's important to have guys like that."
The former free-agent signee got a taste of NHL action last season with the Preds, playing in 15 regular-season games and five playoff outings. The 6-foot-2 winger needed just three games to put one in the back of the net, scoring off a rebound against Tampa in a 7-2 Preds victory in April.
Four NHL goals, two assists and five playoff appearances later, Jeannot is brimming with confidence. He ended his rookie campaign with seven points (5g-2a) in 15 regular-season contests, good for the seventh-best
mark
in the Nashville record book over that span.
After Nashville protected him in the NHL Expansion Draft process and a successful start to Training Camp, he is more than poised for another run with the pro club this year.
"I know what to expect more so this year than I did in that first game last year]," Jeannot said. "Now I know what it takes to play at this level, and I just have to keep getting better every single day to do that, and I was fortunate to get some playoff experience last year, too."
Jeannot has been a consistent producer on the ice through his collection of exhibition appearances, most notably when he opened the Predators' 2021 preseason scoring with two
[nifty
goals in the doubleheader against the Florida Panthers.
"Tanner has continually progressed," Hynes said. "He gets better and better and he's shown he's got scoring touch at this level, whether it was last year and then also in the Florida game."
"I know what I'm good at on the ice, and I try to do everything I can to help the team win," Jeannot said. "And if that's the role - getting the puck and being hard on guys - I'm happy to do that. If I get the chances in front of the net, I like to put the puck in as well, so it's all just about playing to your strengths and helping the team win."
Throughout training camp, Jeannot has proven to be a valuable addition to the Preds special teams units. He has used his big frame to help the Preds kill power plays while also bringing a bit of scoring into the fold as well. Jeannot may not have a perfectly defined role just yet, but Hynes is excited to continue watching his game evolve - just as it has his entire career.
"Right now, I wouldn't put a limit on where his role is going to go," Hynes said. "I think he's still finding his way of what's the right position, what's the right role for him, but I think he's going to get lots of opportunities - he earns his opportunities which makes him get lots of opportunities to play… So far, he's had a good camp and he's kind of picked up where he left off last year."
While Jeannot's path might be considered unconventional, Afanasyev has been a bright spot throughout the Preds organization ever since Day Two of the Draft in June of 2019. Many of his Rookie Camp peers have returned to their minor or junior leagues, but the 20-year-old Russian is still very much a presence at Predators Training Camp.
"Egor has played very well. I've been impressed with his consistency," Hynes said. "We've all seen the goals, which obviously catches everyone's attention…He's got a great shot, but it's not just one-offs where he scores the goals. You can see him in practice, you notice him and, in situations where we're working on scoring or offense, he'll catch your attention three or four times in practice with a nice goal or a good shot."
Afanasyev tallied a goal and three assists over the Preds three Rookie Showcase contests and has already tacked on three goals playing up front in the preseason.
"When I came in, I just wanted to do anything possible to make the team and I'm very grateful that I scored a couple goals," Afanasyev said. "We had a win during the rookie tournament and preseason. So, I'm just grateful for the opportunity."
Afanasyev's 2020-21 season was spent in Russia - at points in the KHL - but the left-winger has been in Nashville for weeks now as the 2021-22 slate quickly approaches. Playing alongside both rookies and veterans throughout the fall, Afanasyev has relished the opportunity to experience the NHL pace of play while learning from Preds veterans.
"I'm happy. I've been working hard in the summer and last year, and I'm definitely happy to still be here. A couple of cuts needed to be made but [everyone who is left has] proven to show what they can do, and [I'm] just happy to be here," Afanasyev said. "[The biggest thing I've learned from the veterans is] having confidence on the ice - just to do my thing. They're always saying that I'm a good player, and I just have to do what I can."
Whether they are here in Nashville or up in Milwaukee this season, both Jeannot and Afanasyev are well on their way to lengthy NHL careers. Despite their different paths, successful training camps and consistent hard work has put both of the Preds young forwards in positions to make an impact in the 2021-22 season - no matter when the call comes.
"Going to bed sometimes knowing I'm going to put the Nashville sweater on, to be honest, it's crazy," Afanasyev said. "Just a couple years ago I couldn't think about it and now I'm here, just working hard… I just have to be myself, play hard, play tough."