The Chicago Blackhawks have signed unrestricted free agent forward Andreas Athanasiou to a one-year contract worth $3 millon. This contract carries him through the 2022-23 season.
One year x $3 million for both https://t.co/vWqu3K8NHc
— Scott Powers (@ByScottPowers) July 13, 2022
Andreas Athanasiou Signs New Deal
The eight-year veteran has played for the Detroit Red Wings, Edmonton Oilers and Los Angeles Kings. He was drafted 100th overall in the 2012 NHL draft by the Red Wings. In 378 games in the NHL scoring 105 goals and 196 points. He had a standout year in 2018-19 when he scored 30 goals and 54 points with the Red Wings. Unfortunately, Athanasiou has never been able to recapture his form from that season. Still, last season, with the Kings he only appeared in 28 games, due to a combination of injury and COVID protocol, but scored 11 goals and 17 points. In the 2020-21 season with the Kings he appeared in 49 games and scored 10 goals and 23 points.
What This Means Moving Forward
Athanasiou has been an inconsistent player during his NHL career. He has, however, shown he has a knack for scoring goals, a talent that is always coveted by NHL teams. While he will likely never be a 30-goal scorer again he can contribute in a secondary role, in the right opportunity. After not playing in a full season for the past three years it will be interesting to see how he responds to a full season and what he can produce. He has been tracking towards 20 goals the past two seasons. If he can stay healthy he should be able to provide solid scoring depth to the lineup.
Athanasiou is a heady player that can be deployed in all situations but his biggest asset is his scoring ability. With this Andreas Athanasiou deal, the Hawks are counting on his ability to provide secondary scoring and some skill to the middle of the lineup.
Report: Kings open contract talks with pending RFA Andreas Athanasiou. https://t.co/zJ73oxbTR4 pic.twitter.com/vqPDAcGyVi
— theScore (@theScore) April 11, 2021
