Predators recall former first-round pick, send down young prospect

The Nashville Predators announced a forward swap between the NHL team and their AHL affiliate. Michael McCarron has been called up from the Milwaukee Admirals while Egor Afanasyev has been sent down to the AHL. Afanasyev was up on an emergency basis, and McCarron’s recall was also on an emergency basis, so these do not count toward the four recalls the Predators are allowed to make after the trade deadline.

McCarron, a big, physical winger at 6-foot-6 and 231 pounds, has split hit time between the NHL and AHL this season. He has played 19 games for the Predators, scoring one goal and two points while also suiting up for 13 AHL contests and scoring two goals and six points. He was sent down just two days ago so the team would have room to call up defenseman Kevin Gravel, but now McCarron returns to the NHL roster.

Afanasyev was called up on March 11 to make his NHL debut. He has played three games since then, recording four shots on goal while averaging just under 10 minutes of ice time per game. The 22-year-old Russian winger is having a decent season in the AHL, putting up 13 goals and 26 points in 55 games.

McCarron, at 28 years old, gives the Predators a bit more experience in their lineup over Afanasyev. The Predators were sellers at the trade deadline but sit just four points behind the Winnipeg Jets for the final playoff spot and have played three less games than the Jets. They will continue their unlikely playoff push Thursday when they host the Chicago Blackhawks.