The Los Angeles Kings signed Andreas Athanasiou, their restricted free-agent forward, to a one-year contract worth $2.7 million
LA Kings and Andreas Athanasiou are cleaning up the final details on a 1 year agreement.
— Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) July 28, 2021
Andreas Athanasiou Signed With Los Angeles Kings
Over his six-year NHL career, Athanasiou played between the Kings, Edmonton Oilers, and Detroit Red Wings. Originally drafted in the fourth round, 110th overall of the 2012 NHL draft by the Wings, the near 27-year-old will be staying in Los Angeles.
Across his career, Athanasiou scored 94 goals and 85 assists for 179 total points in 350 games. Last year, he scored 10 goals and 13 assists for 23 points in 47 contests. His career-high came back in 2018-19 when he potted 30 goals and 54 points in 76 games. The next season, the Wings moved Athanasiou to Edmonton. He finished his contract out that season as an Oiler then signed as a free agent with the Kings before 2020-21.
What This Means for the Future
Without a doubt, Athanasiou appeared to be breaking out as a bonafide NHL talent in Detroit. However, the struggles Detroit faced as a franchise seemed to impact Athanasiou in his last season there, and he hasn’t really picked up the pieces since his trade out of the city. That being said, his underlying possession metrics still remain solid, and his ice time ticked upwards with the Kings too. He possesses awesome speed, and at his age could still get back to the 30-goal production level he experienced just a few years ago.
Los Angeles remains a team in the midst of a rebuild. Athanasiou could be a cornerpiece though for the club going forward if he could regain his scoring form. No King reached the 20-goal plateau in 2020-21, and Athanasiou still finished just sixth on the team in scoring. Expect a push from him to achieve new heights with this franchise, and re-establish himself as a strong NHL talent.
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