Andreas Athanasiou

[Deuces6]

Any thought on this guy? Was watching the game tonight and this guy seems to have some decent skill. Worth a pick up in the off season?

[VintageVibe]

He's the new breed of hockey player in the ever changing, quicker then ever NHL.

He's got loads of skill and is as quick as anyone in the league. The question is: does he get the opportunity to succeed as a top 6 or does that opportunity belong to the bigger name players/prospects?

I'd put his ceiling ~65 points but he's just as likely to become a (20/20) 40-45 point 3rd liner, do to a lack of opportunity/management trying to mould him into more of a 3rd line checker with skill.

Time will tell...

[vallaird]

Any thought on this guy? Was watching the game tonight and this guy seems to have some decent skill. Worth a pick up in the off season?

Look at what Detroit thinks about him: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hqD1fjE0YK8

[Big Ev]

he looks like a bottom sixer skill guy and I don't see him ever getting the minutes or opportunities to be a fantasy asset

I might pick him up as Wings prospects are always overvalued especially after they show something in the NHL. Look at Nyquist who is better than AA.

[Goldendelicious]

3rd line player...more of a checking role but has the upside to put the puck in the net. I'd be surprised if he ever topped 50 points in a season.

[ericdaoust]

3rd line player...more of a checking role but has the upside to put the puck in the net. I'd be surprised if he ever topped 50 points in a season.

You're right, although in today's NHL 50 is a pretty damn good year.

[Big Ev]

50 points is a 1st liner

[dooley89]

He's the new breed of hockey player in the ever changing, quicker then ever NHL.

He's got loads of skill and is as quick as anyone in the league. The question is: does he get the opportunity to succeed as a top 6 or does that opportunity belong to the bigger name players/prospects?

I'd put his ceiling ~65 points but he's just as likely to become a (20/20) 40-45 point 3rd liner, do to a lack of opportunity/management trying to mould him into more of a 3rd line checker with skill.

Time will tell...

I agree with this summary, I was able to watch him play here in Barrie, for two years. Hard working player, super nice guy too.

[Goldendelicious]

You're right, although in today's NHL 50 is a pretty damn good year.

True...wasn't saying he'll get there or flirt there, just used it as a 'bad' benchmark when I saw a "~65pt ceiling"

[ericdaoust]

True...wasn't saying he'll get there or flirt there, just used it as a 'bad' benchmark when I saw a "~65pt ceiling"

Yeah I agree upside numbers are thrown around way too loosely.

[agentzero]

Look at what Detroit thinks about him: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hqD1fjE0YK8

I loved the background music in the vid!

If he ever gets the Wings 30G and 20A, I think they would be ridiculously thrilled. 20-20 is what I would realistically expect. He definitely flashes skill but I wonder if his speed was largely responsible for his junior success.. like Emerson Etem... etc. As a hockey fan I am excited to watch him, but he isn't someone to reach for in terms of a prospect. One to watch, surely, but don't discount top 10 top 15 prospects for this guy.

[StuntMan12]

Any projections for next year? He has shown some good success so far and is getting limited ice time. Decent hands and very good skater. What do you guys think about him.

[hockeyrobot]

Any projections for next year? He has shown some good success so far and is getting limited ice time. Decent hands and very good skater. What do you guys think about him.

I think Detroit will try to move a body out for some help on D this offseason, too many smallish wingers (Nyquist, Tatar, Pulkkinen) so that should open a spot for him to have some more ice time.

[Eskimo Brother]

I think Detroit will try to move a body out for some help on D this offseason, too many smallish wingers (Nyquist, Tatar, Pulkkinen) so that should open a spot for him to have some more ice time.

Agree with this. Projections are really going to depend on where he fits in in the depth chart next year. So keep an eye on what Detroit does with their Fs in the offseason

[dooley89]

I don't get to watch him too much but I did love seeing him play in Barrie, super down to earth guy as well you could tell he just loved the game when you talked to him.