Yahoo Sports Andreas Athanasiou Going On Waivers Is Good For Everyone
The Chicago Blackhawks have been a team that’s struggled for offense this season. One player they haven’t been able to count on is Andreas Athanasiou who hasn’t even been able to crack a lineup most of the year.
On Monday, the Blackhawks placed him on waivers. Athanasiou has a cap hit of $4.25 million for the rest of this season and will be a free agent at the end of the year.
Monday 32 Thoughts news, information & analysis pod.
Notes: as mentioned, rumblings CHI will put Andreas Athanasiou on waivers today. Forgot to mention, but wanted to, Mark Stone’s injury is not considered serious.
Enjoy! Links to your preferred platform, here:…— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) November 11, 2024
Luke Richardson confirms that Andreas Athanasiou will be placed on waivers today. #Blackhawks
— Charlie Roumeliotis (@CRoumeliotis) November 11, 2024
It is unlikely that Athanasiou will be claimed by another team. With the offensive output he’s lacked over the last 18 months and his big cap hit, there is no reason for another team to consider it.
That means that Athanasiou will likely go to the Rockford IceHogs of the AHL, which could be good for everyone. He’d be able to find his game with no pressure, and the ice time he’d get down there could benefit his game.
So far this season, Athanasiou has played in five games and has 0 points. That’s not good enough so this move isn’t all that surprising.
No matter how his production is at the time, Athanasiou is an unbelievably fast skater. That always makes him dangerous because of his ability to separate from defenders.
There are young players currently developing with the IceHogs like Frank Nazar or Colton Dach who will love playing with a guy like that. Having a speedy winger to play with can help these skilled players work on their game at a different pace.
If Athanasiou goes down there and starts to score, the Hawks will eventually call him back up and use him. His confidence level has to be at an all-time low so some AHL time could help him get that back up.
Athanasiou has been productive in the NHL before (he had a 20-goal season in his first year with Chicago) but injury has slowed him down. It’s time to see him bounce back.
Kyle Davidson has not been shy about doing what is necessary to make the organization better overall. This is one of those decisions that can help multiple people in the short and long term.
Visit The Hockey News Chicago Blackhawks team site to stay updated on the latest news, game-day coverage, player features, and more.
