Athanasiou to the KHL?

[Avalanche_Ambush]

Apparently he's thinking about a 1 year deal according to his agent. I'm assuming it's a bargaining ploy but you never know. You hear young russian players threaten to do this but not usually other nationalities.

[Moses]

I'm not a "fire Kenny Holland guy"... but, I think a fresh mind in the GM chair would be best for the Wings organization. When the internal laundry starts to be aired it is usually close to the end.

The "FIRE HOLLAND" chants in new arena are going to start the moment the doors open. It's gonna be ugly.

This is going to look tame in comparison: http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/g...ouver-canucks/

[Avalanche_Ambush]

Holland definitely put himself between a rock and a hard place giving out big term/money and ntc to ageing players and guys in depth roles. His loyalty to the players will no doubt be his demise. The Redwings used to be viewed as the top team at finding the hidden gems of the drafts because they were 1 of the few teams that would scout over seas extensively but in todays world of internet/social media every team has easier access to studying prospects worldwide. They are in cap hell with a pretty lackluster roster. How does 36yr old Zetterberg lead the team in scoring with 68p and outscore the next highest by 20 points...the next g.m. has his hands full.

[Polecon]

He received an one-year offer, which is a bit different from "is possibly heading to the KHL instead of Detroit" as the @ProHockeyrumours headlined it. Great bargaining chip for the agent, but I can't imagine it's a serious consideration, particularly since his rights stay with Detroit. I would expect a bluff to be called here. When's the last time this ploy worked?

[Axeman33]

I think there's a better chance that he gets an offer sheet from another team before he goes to the KHL and I think there's little chance he gets an offer sheet.

Of course it's a negotiating ploy. It's rare that these players actually go through with their "threat".

[Axeman33]

Interesting comments from Kenny Holland today.

https://twitter.com/HeleneStJames/st...59022962225152

Wings GM Ken Holland to Free Press re: RFA Andreas Athanasiou: "We’ve had lots of conversations ....I am not negotiating against the KHL."

Sounds as if Holland is at a "take it or leave it (literally)" type of place with Athanasiou.

[joe jones]

Great article on him in the Athletic

[Bass56]

Can the Wings afford to lose him though? They aren't the most offensively-stacked team in the league... then again, AA is no all-star either so I guess it comes down to who flinches first here!

[ericdaoust]

Can the Wings afford to lose him though? They aren't the most offensively-stacked team in the league... then again, AA is no all-star either so I guess it comes down to who flinches first here!

They're not going anywhere this year with or without him.

[The Comish]

I like Athanasiou, but I have faith in Holland, so if AA flees for greener pastures in the KHL, then he does.

[Axeman33]

Can the Wings afford to lose him though? They aren't the most offensively-stacked team in the league... then again, AA is no all-star either so I guess it comes down to who flinches first here!

Ya, it's not like he's done a whole lot at this point in his career to warrant this type of holdout.

[RizzeeDizzee]

The whole situation is strange, especially all the coverage it's getting.