Here is an interesting chart on Athanasiou, just think if he got more ice time with someone like Kessel! AA can score.
He only played 13 minutes/gm on a bad Detroit team. He did have over 30 seconds/gm in PK time and had a good short handed faceoff percentage. He obviously can get better on faceoffs. His Pts/60 was 2.02 on a low scoring team! - so_buzz11
I liken Athanasiou to Grabner more so than any center or center archetype. So if that's the type of player you want, I think that's the type of player he is and will become. A young Grabner. Fast as hell, scores a lot of goals, doesn't do much else (defend, facilitate, etc.). I don't know which wing he would play on or what would be his preferred side, but I don't see him as a center.
I liken Athanasiou to Grabner more so than any center or center archetype. So if that's the type of player you want, I think that's the type of player he is and will become. A young Grabner. Fast as hell, scores a lot of goals, doesn't do much else (defend, facilitate, etc.). I don't know which wing he would play on or what would be his preferred side, but I don't see him as a center. - T-Train
I think he will be much better than Grabner in the future. He may not turn into an NHL center, but he would be a very good and fast LW, something the Pens need.
AA skates like Haglin, shoots like Neal, and dangles like Malkin. I'm not saying he will be as good as Neal or Malkin, but he would be a great add for a 2nd round pick and fill in as a 3C or LW top 9 until we trade for a 3C.
I believe he easily makes Hagelin a tradeable asset now and could be a great LW for Sid or Geno in the future if he can not make it as a center on the Pens.
Nice video. Hope Letang's neck is healing well. - powerhouse
It's been reported around here that he's ahead of schedule in that regard. Whether he has future neck issues is pretty frightening however...for both him and the Penguins.
I liken Athanasiou to Grabner more so than any center or center archetype. So if that's the type of player you want, I think that's the type of player he is and will become. A young Grabner. Fast as hell, scores a lot of goals, doesn't do much else (defend, facilitate, etc.). I don't know which wing he would play on or what would be his preferred side, but I don't see him as a center. - T-Train
He shoots left so I'm assuming he's a left wing, though not necessarily the case. We certainly need LWs more than RWs. A third line with AA and Rust flanking a center would be female dogin.
I think he will be much better than Grabner in the future. He may not turn into an NHL center, but he would be a very good and fast LW, something the Pens need.
AA skates like Haglin, shoots like Neal, and dangles like Malkin. I'm not saying he will be as good as Neal or Malkin, but he would be a great add for a 2nd round pick and fill in as a 3C or LW top 9 until we trade for a 3C.
I believe he easily makes Hagelin a tradeable asset now and could be a great LW for Sid or Geno in the future if he can not make it as a center on the Pens. - so_buzz11
Eh, Hagelin is a forechecking, backchecking, and PK wizard. AA is below average in this regard and doesn't play much PK. Granted, AA is a gifted scorer and Hags has hands of stone, but I don't think one makes the other expendable, necessarily. If we got rid of Hags, we'd be back to being thin on LW.
He shoots left so I'm assuming he's a left wing, though not necessarily the case. We certainly need LWs more than RWs. A third line with AA and Rust flanking a center would be female dogin. - Victoro311
Yeah, I was thinking he might be suited for LW which would work out great for us. However, I see him more on the second line with Hags on the third line. Malkin is such a good passer and facilitator that having a pure goal scorer would be gold. Hags, on the other hand, is just not productive enough and not enough of a goal scorer to be in the top 6, IMO. I guess a lot depends who the 3C is to figure who would be the best complement.
Rumor is that Calgary wants to sign Sam Bennett before signing Jagr.
They don't want to get stuck like Detroit with an RFA unsigned and near or over the cap! - so_buzz11
Rumor of Jagr signing for $3.7 mil would leave them with $3.4 (or so) for Bennett. Seems like enough. Apparently Calgary hasn't gotten the memo about the league moving to more of a speed game, though.
It's been reported around here that he's ahead of schedule in that regard. Whether he has future neck issues is pretty frightening however...for both him and the Penguins. - madmike71
Joey Mullen had similar issues and wore a neck guard and played I think two years after his neck surgery. I imagine a similar outcome for Kris.
