Chicago Blackhawks officially send Andreas Athanasiou packing in a surprising transaction
The Chicago Blackhawks made the tough decision today, to waive forward Andreas Athanasiou.
Athanasiou had been a regular healthy scratch, and hasn't been in the lineup since October 22nd, 2024. Instead Head Coach Luke Richardson shifted priorities and has relied upon Philipp Kurashev, and Nick Foligno to fill the 2nd line role since then.
This season the depth forward has played 5 games, and accumulated no points, and against Vancouver had low utilization with 13 shifts, and 9:47 TOI.
This is surprising, as Athanasiou found success when he arrived in the Windy City, in 2022-2023 prior to Bedard's arrival.
He scored 40 points( 20 G, 20 A), and with injuries plaguing him hasn't been able to be the game-changing forward he was.
Athanasiou has been looking for a home in the NHL, and this is another obstacle in the way of AA staying in the regular lineup.
Athanasiou could end up being claimed by a team that needs a depth-scoring option and would give him a fresh start.
He is currently in the 2nd year of a 2-year deal with the Blackhawks which pays him $4.25 Million against the cap.
A huge blow to the Blackhawks, as he was one of the forwards who were supposed to keep the team competitive.
The dominant memory of Athanasiou's season will be the 53 games he missed (spanning four months from Nov. 9 to March 12) due to a groin- and hip-related injury on his right sid
Athanasiou's 2023-2024 season was put on bed rest after a groin and hip-related injury ended it early. This season, the Blackhawks are deeper in forwards and can afford to lose Athanasiou if someone will claim him.
For now, we have to assume he will be joining Frank Nazar in Rockford.
