It wasn’t a huge shock when the Chicago Blackhawks placed Andreas Athanasiou on waivers and he wasn’t claimed. He had barely played and struggled since returning from injury last season. He would do better to get playing time in the AHL to potentially find his game.
It didn’t take long for the former 30 goal scorer to get a goal in his Rockford IceHogs debut, scoring 28 seconds into the game on his first shift.
Athanasiou clearly went down to the AHL with a positive mindset to get his game on track and not feel bad for himself. Sometimes it’s difficult working your way back from an injury and a player’s career isn’t always the same afterwards.
The veteran’s contract is over at the end of this season and it’s likely he still wants to not only play hockey, but play in the NHL. Wherever he gets an opportunity to play this season, he has to take advantage and play his best.
Athanasiou showed off his speed and offensive instincts right off the hop in his first game since October 22. Even though he is in the AHL for now, that doesn’t mean that is set in stone for the remainder of the season. The Blackhawks have yet to call anybody up and gave Athanasiou a chance to play in a game instead of sitting around any longer.
Athanasiou’s cap hit will make him very difficult to trade if a team wants to take a chance on him at any point this season. He put up no points in five games for the Blackhawks this season. He could still very well have a lot of hockey left to play in his career with a change of scenery.
Wherever Athanasiou plays, it’s better that he finds confidence and regains some of his old form so he is able to succeed.
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