Bob Duff: On The Wings Of Tomorrow: Andreas Athanasiou AA quietly playing his way into NHL prospect status with Red Wings.

I have been following this Andreas since his time at London. I had always hoped Montreal would draft him during his draft year.

I remember seeing that one goal he had last year where he went in between the legs to deke out the defender and score on the PK (I think it was on the PK). I hope he does make the NHL so we can see players with skill on the big stage all the time!

He's got the speed, he'll make the jump eventually.

He's got the speed, he'll make the jump eventually.
- houseofcards74

He's a bigger and stronger version of Darren Helm.

He's a bigger and stronger version of Darren Helm.
- RedDog18

Maybe a third line with him and bertuzzi? Lol could be a pretty intense line to play against

He's a bigger and stronger version of Darren Helm.
- RedDog18

And way better finishing abilities

With way better hands.

Helm is a UFA at end of the season. If Andreas has another great year, I wouldn't be surprised to see Helm let go.

I'd like to see Helm and Athanasiou on the PK together. The opposition would have to think twice about putting a forward on the point.

3 on 3 in overtime could be exciting too.

c ya in 3-4 years then we can tell if hes a better version of helm. ie: a top 6 forward

Comparison of Andreas Athanasiou and Darren Helm scoring rates per age

Age 17 season (juniors; Helm about 5 months older than AA)
AA: 0.59 ppg
Helm: 0.33 ppg

Age 18 season (juniors):
AA: 1.02 ppg
Helm: 1.13 ppg

Age 19 season (juniors):
AA: 1.44 ppg
Helm: 1.08 ppg

Juniors combined, ages 17-19
AA: 1.02 ppg
Helm: 0.83 ppg

Age 20 season (AHL):
AA: 0.58 ppg
Helm: 0.46 ppg

No guarantees obviously, but if we're making the Helm comparison (which is apt), Athanasiou has been consistently ahead of Helm in the scoring department by roughly 20-25% so far through this stage of his career arc, despite being almost half a year younger in their most directly comparable seasons. He's also 3 inches taller.

I don't know if he'll ever quite attain a level of offensive production at the NHL level that most guys here would be comfortable calling "top six" material, but I'm not going to complain about a guy who can skate like the wind, kill penalties, and average something like 35-40 points per campaign. Obviously there's still a lot of unknowns -- he could turn out better, could turn out worse -- but I think that's a pretty realistic hope for AA.

Comparison of Andreas Athanasiou and Darren Helm scoring rates per age

Age 17 season (juniors; Helm about 5 months older than AA)
AA: 0.59 ppg
Helm: 0.33 ppg

Age 18 season (juniors):
AA: 1.02 ppg
Helm: 1.13 ppg

Age 19 season (juniors):
AA: 1.44 ppg
Helm: 1.08 ppg

Juniors combined, ages 17-19
AA: 1.02 ppg
Helm: 0.83 ppg

Age 20 season (AHL):
AA: 0.58 ppg
Helm: 0.46 ppg

No guarantees obviously, but if we're making the Helm comparison (which is apt), Athanasiou has been consistently ahead of Helm in the scoring department by roughly 20-25% so far through this stage of his career arc, despite being almost half a year younger in their most directly comparable seasons. He's also 3 inches taller.

I don't know if he'll ever quite attain a level of offensive production at the NHL level that most guys here would be comfortable calling "top six" material, but I'm not going to complain about a guy who can skate like the wind, kill penalties, and average something like 35-40 points per campaign. Obviously there's still a lot of unknowns -- he could turn out better, could turn out worse -- but I think that's a pretty realistic hope for AA.
- Sven22

This is a great breakdown of the two players. From watching AA in Grand Rapids I strongly believe he is a bigger and stronger version of Helm with a slightly better scoring touch. Now will he have a better scoring touch in the NHL? You won't be able to tell until he gets his chance in the big show.

This is a great breakdown of the two players. From watching AA in Grand Rapids I strongly believe he is a bigger and stronger version of Helm with a slightly better scoring touch. Now will he have a better scoring touch in the NHL? You won't be able to tell until he gets his chance in the big show.
- RedDog18

It will be interesting to see how guys like Helm are handled now that Blashill is in charge because we all know Babs had quite the man crush on Helm. As you know I love the guy but I think third line center is the ideal position for him based on his skill sets and his point output. Hard to say what they are going to do next year (when I believe he's a FA) but Id be surprised if they let him walk. Id be excited to see a future line with him and Bertuzzi I think that would be a pretty tough line to play against

It will be interesting to see how guys like Helm are handled now that Blashill is in charge because we all know Babs had quite the man crush on Helm. As you know I love the guy but I think third line center is the ideal position for him based on his skill sets and his point output. Hard to say what they are going to do next year (when I believe he's a FA) but Id be surprised if they let him walk. Id be excited to see a future line with him and Bertuzzi I think that would be a pretty tough line to play against
- HomestyleMelt

With the current roster do you have Helm or Sheahan as third line center? Personally, I see Sheahan filling that role but am interested to hear your thoughts.

With the current roster do you have Helm or Sheahan as third line center? Personally, I see Sheahan filling that role but am interested to hear your thoughts.
- RedDog18

I think Helm stays on the wing

With the current roster do you have Helm or Sheahan as third line center? Personally, I see Sheahan filling that role but am interested to hear your thoughts.
- RedDog18

Personally I'd keep him on the wing. Mostly because I don't think Shea can play wing lol

Tatar-Pav-abby
Goose-rich-Z
Helm-Shea-Jurco
Miller-Glen-Ferraro

Would like some size and grit on that second line hence why I have said I wouldn't hate trading nyquist but with the current roster that what I'd go with. Miller is very valuable on the pk (though not really anywhere else) but I suppose helm/Shea and Glen/Ferraro could be our two lines which would allow pulkinen or someone to switch in for miller.

Personally I'd keep him on the wing. Mostly because I don't think Shea can play wing lol

Tatar-Pav-abby
Goose-rich-Z
Helm-Shea-Jurco
Miller-Glen-Ferraro

Would like some size and grit on that second line hence why I have said I wouldn't hate trading nyquist but with the current roster that what I'd go with. Miller is very valuable on the pk (though not really anywhere else) but I suppose helm/Shea and Glen/Ferraro could be our two lines which would allow pulkinen or someone to switch in for miller.
- HomestyleMelt

The only problem I see is Pulks gives you no value sitting on the 4th line. It's like Jurco playing the 4th line, it's just a waste of talent.

The only problem I see is Pulks gives you no value sitting on the 4th line. It's like Jurco playing the 4th line, it's just a waste of talent.
- RedDog18

So I guess the answer is to trade him then. Not really any room for him, Mantha, Larkin, Bertuzzi unless they start not resigning ppl like Helm and Abby which I dont see