First up...
Here is the latest on Athanasiou. The KHL team that was talking to Athanasiou has moved on, and the Swiss league won't allow players out of their contract mid season...and the money isn't good.
So...
Despite the fact that leverage is fading the Wings and Athanasiou are still very far apart, with Athanasiou not willing to budge because he is afraid his ice-time with the Wings will kill him as it has in the past...he doesn't appear to trust the coaching staff all that much...And of course, NOTHING endears a player to a coaching staff more than a holdout.
Also, the Wings are off to good start and are able to play hardball with other teams who have serious interest in Athanasiou. They are saying they are perfectly fine letting him sit the entire year, but if history teaches us nothing, it teaches us how when someone says, "We'd rather him sit a season than lose him for the kind of offers we are getting," it means "pony up more."
I get the sense that a deal is actually closer than anyone is letting on, especially with some of the teams struggling for offense right now and the increase in rhetoric...Ken Holland is playing this perfectly...
I, for one, would love to see Athanasiou moved. This kid is dynamic and very much looks like the kind of speedsters who are beginning to take over this league..
On Auston Matthews..
I am continually amazed by this kid, and so much has already been written about his skillset and maturity..but I think I have found something different, something he does better and smoother than any player in the NHL now...or maybe ever.
Auston Matthews receives a pass at top speed better than any player I have ever seen. Leaf players have learned to just "throw the puck towards him quickly. The time a Leaf player doesn't have to think about pinpoint accuracy matters because they know Matthews is coming up with the puck if it is anywhere near him.
It's remarkable. Watching Toronto this year I have seen countless times when a pass is made that looks way off the mark and suddenly out of nowhere Matthews extends his stick, cradles the puck, and is ready to make a play.
Receiving a pass is a skill not often talked about, but it is a very important part of this game...
And this kid may just about be "The best ever."