Rumor Update: Silence from Athanasiou

When Detroit Red Wings general manager Ken Holland met with Darren Ferris the player agent  for unsigned RFA Andreas Athanasiou in Toronto 10 days ago, it was done in an attempt to break the contract stalemate between the two sides. Since then though… nothing.

Helene St. James of the Detroit Free Press reports that Athanasiou’s camp has gone quiet in the wake of the negotiations. Sitting on the table is a one-year deal for $1.25 million or a two-year deal at $1.95 million per season. There’s also the mysterious KHL offer sitting in Athanasiou’s back pocket but, as St. James points out, the Russian league is already 5 weeks into its season.

So, what’s next for the speedy 23-year-old? Swallow his medicine and sign a deal? Force a trade? Sit out the season? It’s pretty clear that Athanasiou is running out of time and options quickly. Meanwhile youngsters like Michael Rasmussen and Martin Frk are making a serious case to stick with the Wings long-term. Athanasiou could find himself left out in the cold… and we don’t mean Siberia… if he doesn’t act quickly.