It’s hard to leave the blackjack table on a heater, but for forwards Egor Afanasyev & Mark Jankowski it’s a 14-game winning streak with the Milwaukee Admirals.
The Nashville Predators announced on Monday that forward Philip Tomasino was sent to the AHL while Afanasyev & Jankowski were called up. Both forwards had big smiles on their faces when they were greeted by the media.
“No, I told the boys to keep the train rolling and I think they’re going to do great,” Afanasyev stated when asked if it sucked to leave during a lengthy win streak.
Tomasino joins the Admirals and head coach Andrew Brunette cited trust & confidence being a main factor in sending him to the AHL. He’s hopeful more ice time with Milwaukee will result in more confidence for the 22-year-old.
Afanasyev is back with the Predators after playing in 17 games to end last season. He scored his first career goal against the Calgary Flames on the road on April 10, 2023.
Askarov & Svechkov teased the call to Nashville going to play putt-putt without Egor. https://t.co/vgrciNgt84 pic.twitter.com/K1tYJe4lyP
— Nick Kieser🏒 (@KieserNick) February 12, 2024
Brunette said Afanasyev would get eased into special teams while he’s in Nashville & noted he has five shorthanded goals in Milwaukee this season.
The Russian forward leaves a Milwaukee squad that has a 15-point lead in the Central Division and ranks third overall in the AHL with a 31-10-1 record.
“Everything, when you’re feeling great mentally I think that’s where the success comes from,” Afanasyev said about what’s improved for him this season. “We’re going to try and impact as much as we did down there.”
Finding ways to win is what Afanaysev said he’s most proud of this year with the Admirals. He has 20 points in his last 14 games while Jankowski has 21 points in the same timeframe.
“This time when I came up I feel the difference. I think it’s a good difference,” Afanasyev said.
As Jankowski joins the Predators he’s been a benefactor to the Admirals just as much as Afanasyev. The two have been linemates during the winning streak and continued to build their chemistry and boost each other confidence.
“You can’t build those wins together without a solid core while having a good team atmosphere,” Jankowski said.
Mark Jankowski listening to directions on a drill on Feb. 12, 2024, after being called up to Nashville.
The 29-year-old forward said he has his confidence back on the ice. He played in 50 games last season and factored in on special teams as well. Jankowski had 12 points and three shorthanded goals to make an impression on the Predators.
As for development in the AHL Jankowski spoke highly of the young skaters who are trying to vet for a spot in the NHL one day.
“During this winning streak each young guy has picked up their game and been a huge part of our winning ways and it’s been great to see,” Jankowski said.
The duo also ran through a difficult first practice with Nashville. Brunette wasn’t pleased early on and at the end of the first half, he made them skate in a lengthy conditioning drill.
“I think we were a little sluggish,” Brunette said. “Little bit of a different atmosphere, we don’t practice here as often so the ice wasn’t as great. There were a little bit of execution issues and I wasn’t happy with it.”
In a quick remark, he brushed off if the team answered back once they were done with the bag skate.
Brunette is hoping Afanasyev and Jankowski give the team a boost as they join the fold, not necessarily a time he wants to shift the lineup but he’s glad to have fresh faces present.
“He looks much better than he did early in camp from when I first saw him,” Brunette said of Afanasyev. “Janko has a little more swagger and he’s always been an offensive guy but in the last few years he’s lost some rolls and played more defensively but I’m looking forward to him making plays.”
While the Predators are jockeying up for a playoff push they don’t “want to be slamming their trunks” as Brunette says when the season comes to an end.
Follow Nick Kieser on Twitter/X: @KieserNick
Photos courtesy of Nashville Predators
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