REPORT: Andreas Athanasiou To Be Waived By Blackhawks
Credit: Matt Marton-Imagn Images
Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman dropped his new “32 Thoughts” podcast this morning with a bit of extra news. Andreas Athanasiou is heading to the waiver wire sometime this week.
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
When the Chicago Blackhawks first picked him up in 2022-23, Athanasiou seemed like a perfect stopgap forward for a team deep in a rebuild. He offered the things he’s made his career on — speed and a great shot — and put up 20 goals and 40 points in his first season, both the highest of his career since his age-24 season with the Detroit Red Wings.
Unfortunately, Athanasiou hasn’t been able to build on that momentum after the Hawks re-signed him to a two-year, $4.25 million AAV deal. A groin injury kept him out of the lineup from November to March last season, limiting him to 28 games, of which he scored just two goals and nine points.
This year, the problem is less injuries and more the fact that the Blackhawks have squeezed out Athanasiou. After adding Teuvo Teravainen, Tyler Bertuzzi, and Pat Maroon this offseason, in addition to getting Taylor Hall fully healthy, has relegated the speedster to just five games, all scoreless.
Should he pass through waivers — a likely proposition, given his cap hit — the Blackhawks should still have him as a useful call-up option at their disposal.
UPDATE: Luke Richardson confirmed the Blackhawks waived Athanasiou on Monday, per Charlie Roumeliotis.
Up Next