Detroit Red Wings: Four players that could traded before Monday

BUFFALO, NY - FEBRUARY 11: Darren Helm #43 of the Detroit Red Wings looks for the puck during the second period against the Buffalo Sabres at KeyBank Center on February 11, 2020 in Buffalo, New York. (Photo by Timothy T Ludwig/Getty Images)
BUFFALO, NY - FEBRUARY 11: Darren Helm #43 of the Detroit Red Wings looks for the puck during the second period against the Buffalo Sabres at KeyBank Center on February 11, 2020 in Buffalo, New York. (Photo by Timothy T Ludwig/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /

Andreas Athanasiou

The former 30 goal scorer from just a year ago is a pending restricted free agent.  Leading up to last season, he was lobbying for more ice-time, a more significant role, and the Detroit Red Wings granted both to him.  He rewarded the organization with a stellar offensive outburst scoring a career-high 54 points, including those 30 goals.

Last year was the first year since 2009. The Detroit Red Wings had a 30 goal scorer.  Both Dylan Larkin and Andreas Athanasiou accomplished the impressive feat.  This year it’s been a different story for both players.  Everyone is struggling, but Andreas Athanasiou, even with his world-class speed, is invisible most nights.

I’m beginning to wonder if we’ve already seen the best of Athanasiou.  It seems like a bit of an overreaction for a player that’s just a year removed from scoring 30 goals and is only 25 years old but take a look around the league, what do you see?  You see young players excelling more than they ever have, you see players peak in their mid-20s and carry that momentum into their low-30s before they start to decline and reshape their game.

It’s not that outrageous to wonder if Andreas Athanasiou will ever regain that scoring touch, but maybe a change of scenery will help him regain his confidence.  He’s been heavily linked with the Pittsburgh Penguins over the last few weeks, but the Pens made a trade for forward Jason Zucker. I doubt they are still in the market for Athanasiou, especially with the return Yzerman would expect.

I don’t see Yzerman trading Athanasiou for less than a second-round pick.  It seems like a lot for a guy with just 10 goals and 24 points on the season, especially when said player owns a league-worst minus -43 rating.

Yzerman has leverage regarding Athanasiou as I’ve previously mentioned, he’s a pending (RFA) restricted free agent.  Detroit can either trade his rights this summer if contract negotiations stall, or re-sign him on what would in all likelihood be a short ‘show me’ type deal that wouldn’t cost much if any, more than his $3 million salary he’s completing.