Blackhawks Looking To Move On From Top Line Player

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Dawson McKenzie
October 31, 2023 (11:41)

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Recent reports have the Chicago Blackhawks rumoured to be moving on from one of their top-line players.

Blackhawks Rumoured to Be Shopping a Top 6 Forward

The Chicago Blackhawks are in the middle of their rebuilding era, with still plenty of work to do to find the right fit around franchise player Connor Bedard. While some of the right players are already there, it's clear that some changes still need to be made.

After a surprising healthy scratch against the Golden Knights, Andreas Athanasiou has found himself on the rumoured trade block. The forward has been practicing with the extras and injured players, despite being a top-6 player and fully healthy.

Andreas Athanasiou should not be an extra. He's clearly one of the more skilled players on this team, and was excellent with Reichel and Kurashev last year.

Slow Start Could Mean a Potential Trade for Athanasiou

Athanasiou is off to a slow start to the year, recording just three assists and a minus-2 rating in the 7 games he's played this year. He signed a two-year, $8.5 million with the Blackhawks just recently.

Athanasiou is a skilled player, putting up 40 points last season with the Blackhawks. His speed is his biggest asset, being one of the fastest skaters in the league. We will see if that is enough to keep him in the lineup in Chicago, or if that is what takes him to another team.

According to the NHL's new Edge data, Andreas Athanasiou recorded the 5th-fastest max speed in the league last season (24.18mph) and the 7th-most bursts faster than 20mph (301).

As seen on Hawks Insider - "Chicago Blackhawks Place Star Forward on The Trade Block"