Headlines

Go To MLB Trade Rumors
Go To Hoops Rumors

Andreas Athanasiou

Injury Notes: Wheeler, Kane, Gustavsson

at CDT | by Leave a Comment

Cole Perfetti, Nikolaj Ehlers, and Nate Schmidt were all expected to jump back into the lineup soon for the Winnipeg Jets, but they had another nice surprise at practice today. Blake Wheeler was present in a full-contact sweater and practicing on the top line. All four players were taking regular turns, suggesting that the team is getting a huge group of reinforcements all at once. To make room, they will need to move at least one other player off the roster. Ken Wiebe of Sportsnet reports that Michael Eyssimont is not on the ice.

While it still leaves Mason Appleton, Logan Stanley, and Saku Maenalanen on injured reserve, getting Wheeler back is big news for the Jets. The 36-year-old seemed rejuvenated this season (like so many other Winnipeg players) and had 26 points through 29 games before going down to injury. Though he is seeing the lowest average ice time since his days with the Boston Bruins, Wheeler has been great and should be another big boost for a Jets team that is still within striking distance of the Central Division crown.

  • After leaving early on Tuesday night, Patrick Kane’s status was completely unclear. When he was absent as practice started for the Chicago Blackhawks today, alarm bells rang out. Luckily, it seems like he has avoided serious injury, as the Blackhawks listed it as a maintenance day. Andreas Athanasiou was also missing with a non-COVID illness. With so many fans expecting Kane to be the belle of the trade deadline ball this year, a serious injury could throw a wrench into the next few weeks. Hopefully, this will prove to be nothing more than a minor ailment that needs some rest.
  • During last night’s game, Minnesota Wild goaltender Filip Gustavsson was suddenly removed from the net. Head coach Dean Evason told reporters including Joe Smith of The Athletic afterward that he didn’t know what was going on, only that Gustavsson “skated off and puked his brains out.” Michael Russo of The Athletic confirms today that it was an illness, not an injury, that caused the departure and that there is no recall anticipated by the Wild.

Snapshots: Blackhawks, Boeser, Boucher

at CDT | by 1 Comment

The Chicago Blackhawks are the team to watch when it comes to selling at the trade deadline, with so much focus on Patrick Kane’s potential destination. Scott Powers of The Athletic examined the situation regarding Kane and Jonathan Toews, but also touched on the trade market for lesser players like Max Domi and Andreas Athanasiou.

Signing those two always seemed like a move destined to lead to trade deadline flips, but the Blackhawks may not get as much as they think for them. One executive told Powers that Domi and Athanasiou would likely cost third or fourth-round picks in a trade, though admitted things can change if teams get “desperate.”

Chicago Blackhawks Sign Andreas Athanasiou, Max Domi

at CDT | by 12 Comments

One of the biggest strategies for rebuilding clubs is signing buy-low candidates and then flipping them at the deadline, and the Chicago Blackhawks look like they’ll follow that path. Scott Powers of The Athletic reports that the Blackhawks have signed both Andreas Athanasiou and Max Domi today. Pierre LeBrun of The Athletic notes that it will be one-year deals for both, worth $3MM each.

With these two signings, the Blackhawks’ plan is starting to become more clear. GM Kyle Davidson’s intentions with signing Domi and Athanasiou are relatively transparent. These are two offense-first players who have in the past shown the ability to score at a valuable level. Max Domi has a 72-point season on his resume, as well as other years where he scored around a 50-point pace. Athanasiou, known best for his blazing speed, has scored 30 goals in the past and offers a tantalizing offensive toolbox that he’s never quite put together.

On a Chicago team that figures to be quite bad, both Domi and Athanasiou will likely get greater offensive roles than they’d receive on contending teams. So, Davidson is likely making these signings with the hope that the increased role can help them author a productive first half to their seasons, making them valuable trade assets at the 2023 trade deadline. Both Domi and Athanasiou could be had by contenders at just a 50% cap hit (if Chicago retains) meaning if either is able to reach similar production to what they’ve been able to do in the past, they could return the Blackhawks a decent prospect or draft pick.

Neither Athanasiou or Domi figures to be a long-term fixture in Chicago. But with the direction the Blackhawks are going, these signings could be beneficial for both the team and players. For Chicago, they have the potential to net them some more long-term assets, the kinds of prospects and draft picks Davidson has been stockpiling so far in his tenure. For the players, they get a chance at a greater role than what they’d receive anywhere else and their best opportunity to re-enter the market on stronger footing next summer.

Snapshots: Orlov, Toropchenko, Athanasiou, LaCombe

at CDT | by 1 Comment

6:03 pm: Orlov will be in the lineup tonight for the Capitals.

4:36 pm: According to the Athletic’s Tarik El-Bashir, Washington Capitals defenseman Dmitry Orlov could return to the lineup tonight in Montreal against the Canadiens (Tweet Link). Capitals’ Head Coach Peter Laviolette told El-Bashir that he hopes Orlov will be in the lineup tonight, but did not appear certain on the issue. Orlov has missed two games with a lower-body injury, last playing on April 10th.

Getting the veteran Orlov back in the lineup will certainly be a boost for the Capitals as they look to finish their season strong, and potentially catch the Boston Bruins in the first Wild Card spot in the Eastern Conference, or the Pittsburgh Penguins for third place in the Metropolitan Division, five points back of either, and with three games in hand on Pittsburgh. Orlov has long been a staple of Washington’s defense and locker room, and his presence could have a strong impact as the team plays important games from here on.

  • As the Capitals may get Orlov back, the Blues are going to be without forward Alexey Toropchenko, at least for today’s game against the Minnesota Wild, reports Tom Timmermann of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Toropchenko was injured Thursday when he took a puck in the leg in the Blues’ game against the Buffalo Sabres. Fortunately for St. Louis, Toropchenko appears only to be day-to-day, so he should be able to return soon for the Blues down the stretch of the season. Forward Dakota Joshua took Toropchenko’s place in the lineup against Minnesota Saturday.
  • The Los Angeles Kings announced that they have activated forward Andreas Athanasiou ahead of tonight’s game against the Columbus Blue Jackets at home. Athanasiou’s return to the lineup is impactful for the Kings, as they deal with injuries while trying to hang on to playoff position in the Pacific Division. The forward has played in just 22 games this season, dealing with injuries, last playing March 10th, but he does own an impressive nine goals and five assists in that time.
  • The University of Minnesota announced that All-American defenseman Jackson LaCombe would be staying with the Gophers for next season, his fourth and final of NCAA eligibility. LaCombe was the Anaheim Ducks second round selection, 39th overall, in 2019, and would be eligible to become a free agent after this coming season if he chooses not to sign with Anaheim. While that is clearly of-note on LaCombe, it’s not yet apparent if that is of concern to Anaheim. LaCombe’s return could easily be a bit of unfinished business with Minnesota, much the same as it is for Toronto Maple Leafs prospect Matthew Knies, who is also returning to the Gophers. Minnesota lost in the semifinals of the Frozen Four to Minnesota State, who was then defeated by the University of Denver in the final. In three years on Minnesota’s blueline, LaCombe has 10 goals and 54 assists in 103 games.

Drew Doughty Placed In COVID Protocol

at CDT | by Leave a Comment

A seemingly never-ending stream of COVID-19 news this week continues, as the Los Angeles Kings announced today that defenseman Drew Doughty entered the league’s COVID-19 protocol. Additionally, the team placed Andreas Athanasiou on injured reserve retroactive to December 14.

It’s been a tough season health-wise for Doughty, but when he’s been in the lineup, he’s having one of his best seasons in recent memory. Limited to only 11 games this season after a knee injury early in the year, Doughty had 13 points in 11 games, the best scoring pace of his career. He now joins Mikey Anderson, Alexander Edler, and Sean Walker as the unavailable defensemen for the Kings.

The Kings are scheduled to play Florida tonight, who’s facing COVID issues as well.

Athanasiou is out with a lower-body injury, continuing what’s been a successful but injury-riddled campaign for him as well. When in the lineup, he’s been a productive depth piece for the team with six points in 11 games. He’ll miss at least the next five days due to the retroactive nature of the injured reserve placement.

West Notes: Wheeler, Canucks, Athanasiou, Borgstrom

at CDT | by 1 Comment

While the Jets will be without their captain Blake Wheeler for a while, head coach Paul Maurice recently provided a positive update to reporters including Postmedia’s Scott Billeck, indicating that the winger won’t need to undergo surgery:

This is a rehab situation. He’s going to get, I don’t even know if it’s a second opinion, enough people have looked at it, they all agree, they all have a very good handle on what it is. They’ll let the swelling come down for three or four days.

Wheeler had been off to a tough start to his season in the goal department having only scored his first of the year on Friday, the game he was injured in.  However, he had chipped in with a team-leading 16 assists in 21 games.  While Winnipeg will get some short-term cap relief by transferring Wheeler to LTIR which would allow them to at least carry a full 23-player roster, the fact that the 35-year-old will return this season will prevent the Jets from going outside the organization to add a more prominent veteran to take his place.

More from the West:

  • The Canucks have made another addition to their front office, announcing the hiring of Derek Clancey as an assistant GM. Clancey had been serving as a pro scout for Calgary until today.  New team president Jim Rutherford has plenty of familiarity with the 52-year-old having worked with him in Pittsburgh from 2014 through to his resignation last season.  Clancey will be responsible for both the professional and amateur scouting departments.  Postmedia’s Patrick Johnston adds that two more assistant GMs could be added as Rutherford rebuilds Vancouver’s front office.
  • The Kings will be without winger Andreas Athanasiou for the next three games as he has been ruled out for the rest of their road trip, relays Zach Dooley of LA Kings Insider. It has been a tough year for the 27-year-old as injuries and a positive COVID test have limited him to just 11 games so far.  This time, it’s a lower-body injury for Athanasiou, who has been relatively productive when he has played with six points this season.
  • The Blackhawks announced that they’ve placed center Henrik Borgstrom on injured reserve with a non-COVID illness. The placement is retroactive to December 10th which means he could return as soon as Friday against Nashville.  The 24-year-old has had a quiet year since returning from overseas, notching just two goals and an assist in 17 games so far this season.

Andreas Athanasiou Activated From COVID Protocol

at CDT | by 1 Comment

It’s been almost three weeks since Andreas Athanasiou suited up for an NHL game, but that is about to change. The Los Angeles Kings have activated the speedy forward from the non-roster/COVID-19 protocol and announced he is available for tonight’s game against the Dallas Stars.

Athanasiou, 27, has played in just eight games this season after missing all of October with an injury. He has five points in those games and looked ready to build on the solid season he had for Los Angeles in 2020-21, when he had 10 goals and 23 points in 47 games. While those numbers don’t jump off the page, it was a good way to build back some of his value after the disappearing act he pulled in Edmonton.

Acquired at the 2020 deadline for two second-round draft picks, Athanasiou would register just two points in nine regular season games for the Oilers, zero in four playoff games and then failed to receive a qualifying offer from the team. He signed a one-year, $1.2MM deal with the Kings just before the 2020-21 season kicked off, and landed new a one-year, $2.7MM deal in July.

Importantly, Athanasiou is scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent after this season, meaning getting him back up to full speed is important to the Kings on two fronts. First, he should be able to add some more offense to a group that has struggled to score at times, but beyond that, he’ll also be a top trade chip should the team fall out of the playoff race entirely. With the Kings sitting at 10-10-4 after a poor recent stretch, those kinds of decisions have to be creeping into the minds of general manager Rob Blake and his staff.

Andreas Athanasiou Placed In COVID Protocol

at CDT | by 4 Comments

The Los Angeles Kings will not have Andreas Athanasiou in the lineup when they take on the Toronto Maple Leafs this evening, as he has been placed in the COVID protocol.

Athanasiou, 27, only has eight games under his belt this season and after a hot start–he had five points in his first four–has been held scoreless in four straight. Now the Kings will have to find a way to replace him for at least one game.

The team did not confirm whether or not Athanasiou had actually tested positive for coronavirus, but if he did and is experiencing any symptoms he’ll miss a minimum of ten days. The team had been carrying 14 forwards already, so don’t necessarily need to make a recall in time for tonight’s action.

Pacific Notes: Athanasiou, Andersson, Eichel, Tkachuk

at CDT | by Leave a Comment

Kings winger Andreas Athanasiou is expected to be activated off injured reserve and make his season debut on Friday, notes Zach Dooley of LA Kings Insider.  The 27-year-old suffered an undisclosed injury late in September and while it was hoped that he wouldn’t be out long, he hasn’t played since, missing the first ten games of the season in the process.  Athanasiou had 10 goals and 13 assists in 47 games with Los Angeles in 2020-21.

Meanwhile, Dooley adds that center Lias Andersson has been ruled out of Saturday’s contest due to his groin injury.  Head coach Todd McLellan indicated that the plan is to “see how he is as the week goes on”.

More from the Pacific Division:

  • Golden Knights center Jack Eichel will have his disk replacement surgery next Friday in Denver, relays David Schoen of the Las Vegas Review-Journal. GM Kelly McCrimmon indicated yesterday that the hope is that the 25-year-old will be able to return three to five months after having the procedure.  That would have Eichel returning sometime between February and April.  While that is a bit of an extended timeline, the fact it hasn’t been performed on an NHL player before leads to some uncertainty.
  • Flames winger Matthew Tkachuk has been fined $5K for his high sticking infraction on Stars defenseman John Klingberg on Thursday night, the league announced. The incident occurred in the third period of the game with a minor penalty being assessed on the play.  The fine is the maximum allowable in the CBA.

Injury Updates: Lehner, Canadiens, Zamula, Athanasiou, De Haan

at CDT | by 3 Comments

While Robin Lehner left Thursday’s game after two periods due to injury, Vegas head coach Peter DeBoer told reporters, including David Schoen of the Las Vegas Review-Journal, that the decision to pull him was more precautionary than a sign of a significant injury.  Lehner will be counted to carry on a much bigger workload this season with Laurent Brossoit now the backup for the Golden Knights so it’s certainly understandable that DeBoer erred on the side of caution in Lehner’s first appearance of the preseason.

Other injury news and notes from around the NHL:

  • After stopping on-ice workouts for defenseman Joel Edmundson and goaltender Carey Price, both Canadiens are expected to resume those next week, mentions TVA Sports’ Renaud Lavoie (Twitter link). Edmundson was listed as day-to-day entering training camp while Price’s availability for the start of the season remains in question following offseason surgery.  Winger Cole Caufield is also close to returning after being shut down following a minor injury during the warmup of an intrasquad game.
  • Flyers defenseman Yegor Zamula will miss the next three to four weeks due to a strain in his hip/groin area, relays Jordan Hall of NBC Sports Philadelphia. The 21-year-old is one of Philadelphia’s more promising prospects and made his NHL debut with a pair of games last season.  While he had an outside shot at breaking camp with the team, this will basically put an end to that possibility.
  • Kings winger Andreas Athanasiou sustained an undisclosed injury in practice earlier this week but at this point, he’s unlikely to miss the start of the regular season, notes Zach Dooley of LA Kings Insider. The 27-year-old had 23 points in 47 games last season, earning him a $2.7MM contract to avoid salary arbitration.
  • Blackhawks defenseman Calvin de Haan revealed to reporters, including Charlie Roumeliotis of NBC Sports Chicago (Twitter link) that he played the second half of last season with a fractured tibia. The 30-year-old is entering the final year of his contract that carries a $4.45MM cap hit and will need a much better showing this season to have a shot at coming close to that AAV next summer.  Being healthy now is certainly a step in the right direction on that front.

Pro Hockey Rumors is not affiliated with National Hockey League, NHL or NHL.com

scroll to top