Red Wings have no appetite to trade Andreas Athanasiou

The Hockey Night in Canada panel discuss the NHL and NHLPA possibly getting rid of the All-Star Game, Jarome Iginla getting an invitation from Hockey Canada and Zdeno Chara.

Detroit Red Wings forward and restricted free agent Andreas Athanasiou remains unsigned with the regular season well underway but a resolution could come as soon as this week.

As reported by Sportsnet’s Nick Kypreos on Hockey Night in Canada, the Red Wings met with Athanasiou’s agent last week and appear to be sticking to their two-year, $3.8-million contract offer.

“(The Red Wings) have also made it clear that there is no appetite to trade him,” Kypreos said. “They like him, they see him in their plans. They want to move forward.”

Athanasiou flew to Switzerland last week to practise with HC Lugano of the Swiss National League. He has yet to sign with a team in Europe but Kypreos reported he could begin playing in the coming days.

“Now the feeling is they are going to talk again early next week and there should be a resolution one way or the other,” Kypreos said. “Either he ends up signing with Detroit or he ends up playing some meaningful games overseas. That should come early next week.”

According to Cap Friendly.com, the Red Wings currently have no cap space available and would need to make another move before Athanasiou could be placed on the active roster.

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