Last night during the Chicago Blackhawks-Montreal Canadiens game, TSN aired their latest “Insider Trading” segment featuring Bob McKenzie and Pierre LeBrun. In it, McKenzie explains that since there has been no movement between the Detroit Red Wings and restricted free agent Andreas Athanasiou, teams have started to call to ask about the young forward.
Though he makes it clear that Detroit is not shopping Athanasiou, they are listening to the offers with a specific price in mind. That price—another young forward with similar offensive potential—seems almost impossible to meet at this point. Though nothing seems imminent, Athanasiou has to sign somewhere in the league before December 1st, or forfeit his entire season. The Red Wings would maintain their rights over the 23-year old.
It is interesting that the Red Wings would be willing to listen. Despite yesterday’s 4-2 loss to the Dallas Stars, the team has gotten off to a better start than many expected, riding solid goaltending to two wins in their first two games. Should that success continue, it will be a lot harder to pull the trigger and start selling off assets for an inevitable rebuild. Athanasiou is right on the border of being a key piece to build around, or an asset to sell off. If he continues his holdout, he may find himself slipping into the latter category.
Penguins????
Hey Mailman. In your opinion, what can Pittsburgh offer that would be fair for both teams? Serious question & in no way sarcastic. Thanks.
I don’t know but the Pens sure could use an upgrade at center.
I think one of the big reasons that the Pens have won back to back Cups is because of their strong depth at center. Right now it’s something that they are lacking. What do you think the Pens could offer for Athanasiou?
Hey Mailman, thanks for the response. It is so hard to say what would be fair for both teams because Athanasiou just has not proven himself for very long, as we all know. For sure he would help the Penguins but what would be fair for the Red Wings? That is what makes this so difficult to figure out. I know what the Wings are asking in return; a top four d-man or a young center with similar skills. Sending a young center to Detroit, would put Pittsburgh right back to where they are now, needing a center. Pittsburgh has some talented d- men, but is trading one of them for AA, a fair deal? Me? I would love a trade for one of Pittsburgh’s talented d-men, but that is just a greedy Red Wings fan talking! Looking forward to seeing your take on this! Who would send this way for AA?
PK, The Pens certainly do not have a young talented center to trade away. And even though the Pens defense is solid it is not very deep. Trading away a top 4 d-man (Ollie Maatta, maybe) would just create another hole for them to fill. To get their 3rd line center they are going to have to trade one or two of their talented wingers since the Pens have an abundance of them.
With Jim Rutherfords ties to the Detroit area, you would figure that this would be an easier than normal trade. Ken Holland seems to be asking for more than what AA has proven to be. AA is an outstanding hockey player who needs to work on his defensive game & his compete level. His agent is asking for more than what AA deserves at this point, but with all of that said, as a fan, you would love to have him on your team for the long haul. As fast as AA is, he would be a good fit with the type of game that Pittsburgh likes to play. Either way this will be fun to see how this plays out. Everything here in Michigan says Pittsburgh is the front-runner right now but as a recent article here reads, that a couple other teams (Ottawa & Montreal) are in the running for AA but I haven’t heard or read anything here in Michigan to back up that latest rumor. I don’t know what you have heard there, but I have told you everything that I know on this end. I have friends that are still involved in hockey & also a friend that works for the Detroit Free Press, & they either can’t tell me or there just isn’t anything new about any trade/sign rumors that we have been hearing or reading about.
PK, I really haven’t heard any trade talk here in Pittsburgh about acquiring AA. Only wishful thinking on my part.
I’m sure you have heard the earlier rumor Derrick Pouilot for Riley Sheahan. I thought that was a done deal the way they were talking here.I guess it depended on the Red Wings signing Athanasiou.Since then we have traded Pouilot to Vancouver so that trade is not going to happen. There was high hope for Pouilot here but he never lived up to his potential. He’s still young though and wasn’t given much of a chance here.
What are your thoughts on Sheahan? A trade for him could still happen if you guys sign AA.
Sheahan is very inconsistent from shift to shift & game to game. His offense is non-existent but he is very good defensively, especially on the PK & faceoffs. If Pittsburgh’s coaching staff can motivate him better than the Wings staff did, with his size, he could be a monster. Detroit’s coaching staff is a joke & Ken Holland makes most of the calls that his coaches should. That is just one of the many reasons why Mike Babcock left Detroit. but the press with never admit that. Holland likes to say that he likes to leave the youngsters in the AHL & get them “over ripe”. The reality is, he has ruined many young people through the years by being so dedicated to the veterans who are on terrible contracts & term. In my opinion, this is what happened to Sheahan. With a better coaching, I believe that this will bring out the talent that Sheahan has. Holland is also one of the reasons why the top free agents refuse to sign with Detroit. I hope this fills you in on the situation with the Wings?
Thanks for the info, PK. You should be writing for Trade Rumors…
Heard today that the Islanders are in on acquiring Athanasiou.
Hey Brother, you are getting information a whole lot quicker than I do. I live in a very remote part of northern Michigan & it seems that we are almost some of the last people to even hear Red Wing news let alone news about other teams. I was born & raised north of Detroit & there was never a shortage of hockey news. Since I know that the Wings have no chance at winning the Cup this year, I am quietly hoping for a threepeat for Pittsburgh. It has been so many years since this has happened & I believe that no other team has the talent to do this,except Pittsburgh right now. I believe that the last time a team did this it was the Islanders in the eighties?