Nashville Predator: Should the Predators acquire Athanasiou?
The Nashville Predators have a few flashy offensive weapons, but they lack the 22 year old human highlight machine that is Athanasiou.
The Nashville Predators are stocked with talent. Strong defense, scoring up and down the team, and the ability to stop the puck. But the team does not feel complete. There are spots that need depth. Like, I don’t know, winger.
Andreas Athanasiou had a fairly good year offensively, especially when you consider the Detroit Red Wings around him were hot garbage. Athanasiou used his speed to amass 18 goals and 11 assists for 29 points in 64 games. Despite showing great promise, the Red Wings haven’t signed him due to some other bad contracts (cough*Justin Abdelkader*cough).
They currently are up against the cap and are in danger of losing some great young players like Athanasiou. Now there are rumors circulating that he may bolt to the KHL to get a decent contract, and personally I think that the Wings might trade him. Maybe even to the Nashville Predators.
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So Why Not The Nashville Predators?
Athanasiou would not be the 70 point scorer that David Pastrnak would be, but he could easily pot 20 goals and 30 plus points. He would be a great secondary scoring threat, playing alongside Calle Jarnkrok or Nick Bonino on the 3rd line. The powerplay would also be helped as Athanasiou brings a speed that is virtually unmatched and a good nose for the puck. Signing Athanasiou would allow the Nashville Predators to keep the JOFA line together while also bolstering depth scoring. My only issue is that he can be extremely irresponsible in his own end. This wouldn’t be an issue though if he was paired with a defensively focused center, like Nick Bonino.
What Would The Nashville Predators Have To Give Up?
Well it certainly won’t be one of the big guys. The Red Wings would most likely want Dante Fabbro or Alexandre Carrier, but the Red Wings might cave. Both Carrier and Fabbro will most likely be top 4 defensemen in their primes, which would be too much in my opinion. Athanasiou isn’t worth losing the solution to if Josi, Ellis, or Ekholm walks.
The good news for the Predators is that the Red Wings are desperate and probably would take a 2nd or combination of picks for Athanasiou. The Predators are in win now mode and a young potentially middle 6 scorer would help them take the next step towards winning the cup.
What Would It Take For The Nashville Predators To Sign Him?
Here’s the interesting thing, Andreas Athanasiou would probably receive a bridge deal worth 3.5 million dollars for 2 years. The good news is that the Predators have 6 million in cap space and could afford whatever Athanasiou demanded. The real issue would be the contract length. Any more than 2 years would hurt the Predators as they would be signing Ellis, Josi, and Athanasiou at the same time.
The Predators need the scoring way more than they need the defensive prospects they’d have to give up. The Red Wings might be able to be shorted value because they’re at risk of losing Athanasiou for nothing. The Nashville Predators are in a prime position to improve without giving up too much in return.
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The Predators most likely won’t sacrifice defense for offense, but this would be a wonderful trade. It would take the Predators to the next level.