Blackhawks' Andreas Athanasiou: Suffers injury in minors
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Athanasiou, who was sent down to AHL Rockford in mid-November, sustained a hand or wrist injury against AHL Chicago on Sunday, Ben Pope of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.
Athanasiou's stint in the minors was supposed to help him rediscover his game after being held without a point through his first five appearances this season. While the veteran winger did manage to score a pair of goals for the IceHogs, his injury will no doubt be a setback for his chances of earning back a spot in the Blackhawks' lineup.
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Blackhawks' Andreas Athanasiou: Going on waivers
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Athanasiou will be placed on waivers Monday, Charlie Roumeliotis of WGN Radio reports.
Athanasiou has been a healthy scratch for nine straight games. He hasn't earned a point in five appearances while contributing six shots on goal, four blocked shots and five hits this season. Athanasiou's $4.25 million cap hit for 2024-25 will likely scare away teams from claiming him, meaning he could be ticketed for AHL Rockford if he clears waivers.
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Blackhawks' Andreas Athanasiou: Falling out of favor
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Athanasiou was scratched for the fourth game in a row for Thursday's 3-2 loss to the Sharks.
Athanasiou has sat out six of the Blackhawks' first 11 games, and he hasn't earned a point while averaging 9:36 of ice time over his first five outings. The 30-year-old forward has added six shots on net, five hits, four blocked shots and a minus-1 rating. The recent success of players like Lukas Reichel and Ryan Donato likely means Athanasiou will have to wait his turn for another look in the lineup. Even when he draws back in, he's unlikely to be productive in a fourth-line role.
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Blackhawks' Andreas Athanasiou: Tallies in Sunday's loss
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Athanasiou scored a goal on two shots in Sunday's 4-2 loss to the Hurricanes.
Athanasiou has three points over his last seven games, including both of his goals this season. The 29-year-old missed significant time with a groin injury this season, and he's lacked offense since returning to the lineup. Athanasiou is at nine points, 42 shots on net and a minus-8 rating through 26 appearances.
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Blackhawks' Andreas Athanasiou: Finally lights lamp Saturday
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Athanasiou scored his first goal of the season in Saturday's 3-2 win over the Stars.
The 29-year-old center has been limited to 22 games this season due to a groin injury he suffered in November, and it took him until Chicago's 76th contest to finally find the back of the net. Athanasiou has only four points in 11 games since returning to the lineup as he skates on the third line at even strength and sees shifts on the second power-play unit -- roles that keep him away from Connor Bedard, and far from significant fantasy value.
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Blackhawks' Andreas Athanasiou: Two helpers in return
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Athanasiou recorded two assists and three shots on goal in Tuesday's 7-2 win over the Ducks.
Athanasiou had a hand in goals by Ryan Donato and Mackenzie Entwistle. This was Athanasiou's first action in four months -- he missed 53 games with a groin injury. Down the stretch, the 29-year-old should be able to maintain a middle-six role with some power-play time. He has six helpers, 23 shots on net and a minus-5 rating through 12 outings this season.
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Blackhawks' Andreas Athanasiou: Returning to lineup
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Athanasiou (groin) will return to the lineup Tuesday when Chicago plays Anaheim at home, per Mark Lazerus of The Athletic.
Athanasiou has played in only 11 games this year, recording four assists and 20 shots on goal. The 29-year-old had 20 goals and 20 assists in 2022-23, when he played 81 games. He will look to break off some of the rust Tuesday in a favorable matchup against the rebuilding Ducks.
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Blackhawks' Andreas Athanasiou: Questionable against Washington
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Athanasiou (groin) will travel with his teammates to Washington, but he's considered questionable for Saturday's contest against the Capitals, per Scott Powers of The Athletic.
Athanasiou hasn't been in the lineup since Nov. 9. He has four assists in 11 games this season. Athanasiou will likely serve in a middle-six capacity if he does return Saturday.
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Blackhawks' Andreas Athanasiou: Close to returning
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Athanasiou (groin) was spotted in a red jersey at Thursday's practice and has been doing contact drills, per Tracey Myers of NHL.com.
Athanasiou has been battling injuries all year, only playing in 11 games thus far. The 29-year-old has recorded just four assists on the season, but he will nonetheless likely slot into a first or second-line spot when he makes his return.
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Blackhawks' Andreas Athanasiou: Making progress
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Athanasiou (groin) participated in drills during Tuesday's practice, Scott Powers of The Athletic reports.
Athanasiou's return to the lineup isn't imminent because he hasn't been cleared for contact yet, Still, he appears to be making some progress. Athanasiou, who hasn't played since Nov. 9, has four assists and 20 shots on goal in 11 appearances this season.
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Blackhawks' Andreas Athanasiou: Still not skating
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Athanasiou (groin) has yet to resume skating but is expected back on the ice soon, Charlie Roumeliotis of NBC Sports Chicago reports Wednesday.
Athanasiou has already been out of action for the Blackhawk's last 12 contests and looks unlikely to be ready for game action soon. Prior to getting hurt, the 29-year-old forward was still looking for his first goal of the 2023-24 campaign. Given his slump and injury concerns, Athanasiou seems unlikely to reach the 20-goal threshold in 2023-24 after hitting that mark last year.
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Blackhawks' Andreas Athanasiou: Placed on injured reserve
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Athanasiou (lower body) was put on injured reserve Thursday, per Charlie Roumeliotis of NBC Sports Chicago.
Athanasiou was injured versus the Lightning on Nov. 9 and has missed the last five games. The Blackhawks recalled Cole Guttman and Joey Anderson on Thursday, necessitating Athanasiou's move to injured reserve. Athanasiou has four assists in 11 games this season after picking up 20 goals and 20 assists in 81 contests last season.
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Blackhawks' Andreas Athanasiou: Considered week-to-week
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Athanasiou is week-to-week with a lower-body injury, Charlie Roumeliotis of NBC Sports Chicago reports.
Considering the expected length of his recovery, it wouldn't be surprising to see Athanasiou land on injured reserve in the coming days. The 29-year-old forward has picked up only four helpers while averaging 12:45 of ice time through 11 contests this campaign, so most fantasy managers shouldn't need to keep tabs on his status.
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Blackhawks' Andreas Athanasiou: Won't play against Florida
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Athanasiou (undisclosed) won't be in the lineup Sunday versus the Panthers, per Ben Pope of the Chicago Sun-Times.
Athanasiou will miss at least one contest after getting injured in Thursday's 5-3 win over the Lightning. He has earned four helpers and 20 shots on goal in 11 games this season. With Taylor Hall (lower body) also unavailable, Chicago is projected to have Boris Katchouk and Reese Johnson in the lineup for Sunday's contest.
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Blackhawks' Andreas Athanasiou: Exits contest
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Athanasiou (undisclosed) won't return to Thursday's game versus the Lightning.
Athanasiou appeared to get hurt late in the second period. The 29-year-old, who's picked up four helpers through 11 games this season, should be considered day-to-day ahead of Sunday's contest versus the Panthers.
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Blackhawks' Andreas Athanasiou: Notches two assists
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Athanasiou recorded two assists, three shots on goal and two blocked shots in Monday's 4-1 win over the Maple Leafs.
Athanasiou helped out on second-period tallies by MacKenzie Entwistle and Tyler Johnson, with the latter's goal coming on the power play. After spending much of last year in a top-six role, Athanasiou has played lower in the lineup to begin 2023-24. He's still managed three assists, 11 shots on net and a plus-2 rating over four contests.
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Blackhawks' Andreas Athanasiou: Inks two-year deal
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Athanasiou signed a two-year, $8.5 million contract with the Blackhawks on Wednesday, per PuckPedia.
Athanasiou was able to turn his second-best season into a two-year deal after logging 20 goals and 20 helpers in 81 contests in 2022-23. The 28-year-old forward was often playing in a top-six role for Chicago, especially later in the season after trades decimated the team's forward depth. He's a natural center but may fit better on the wing, and the potential that he could end up playing with Connor Bedard makes Athanasiou slightly more interesting for fantasy managers.
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Blackhawks' Andreas Athanasiou: Gets three points in finale
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Athanasiou had a goal and two assists in Chicago's 5-4 overtime loss to Philadelphia on Thursday.
It was Athanasiou's second three-point game of the 2022-23 campaign. His marker late in the third period tied the contest at 4-4 and pushed the game into overtime. Chicago's season is now in the books with Athanasiou providing 20 goals and 40 points in 81 outings. It's the first time the 28-year-old has reached the 20-goal or 40-point milestones since 2018-19.
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Blackhawks' Andreas Athanasiou: Scores game-winning goal Tuesday
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Athanasiou tallied a goal in the Blackhawks' 5-2 win over Pittsburgh on Tuesday.
Athanasiou has been held off the scoresheet only once over his last seven outings, supplying five goals and nine points in that span. His marker Tuesday came midway through the third period and proved to be the game-winner. Through 80 appearances in 2022-23, Athanasiou has 19 goals and 37 points.
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Blackhawks' Andreas Athanasiou: Generates two assists
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Athanasiou logged two assists, four shots on goal and a minus-2 rating in Saturday's 7-3 loss to the Kraken.
Athanasiou has multiple points in three of his last four games as he continues to enjoy top-six minutes. One of his helpers came on the power play Saturday. The 28-year-old forward is up to 18 goals, 17 assists, six power-play points, 158 shots on net and a minus-30 rating through 78 appearances.
