*Photo from LA Kings Insider*
With holes needing to be plugged entering training camp, the Chicago Blackhawks went the veteran route. The Blackhawks and LW Andreas Athanasiou have agreed to a one year, $3 million deal, according to the team.
The Blackhawks have vacancies at forward following the start of free agency, and the hope is that Athanasiou can help to fill one of those vacancies. He's a versatile winger, as he can play both sides, and his speed is still an asset for teams, as he's still just 27 years old.
Coming off a season that was marred by factors that kept him off the ice, Athanasiou went from a $2.7 million salary to a $3 million salary this season with the Blackhawks. He has no performance or signing bonus, and will once again be a UFA at the end of the season.
Last season, Athanasiou spent his second campaign with the Los Angeles Kings. He was limited to just 28 regular season games, but picked up 17 points, with 11 goals and 6 assists to go with a +7 plus/minus rating in 15:14 of ice time. He picked up an additional one goal in 6 playoff games last season.
Across a 7 year NHL career with 3 different teams, Athanasiou has 105 goals and 91 assists, averaging 14:45 of ice time per game while posting a -75 plus/minus rating in 378 regular season games. In the playoffs, Athanasiou has an extra two goals, not getting any assists in 15 career playoff contests.
The signing of Athanasiou comes after the Blackhawks let Dominik Kubalik and Dylan Strome walk in free agency, plus a trade of Alex DeBrincat to the Ottawa Senators.
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