Ben Shelley: Analyzing the Andreas Athanasiou signing

Good to see AA with the Kings. If he puts his ego aside I envision a 1/2 pt per game pace which will go far towards a better contract. You are gonna love this guy when he breaks into the clear!

Agree with HH; When Doubles is hot, he's smoking. This kid has speed....good Lord, this kid can skate. He is a defensive liability, and had some ego issues. Genuinely hope he thrives in LA, good luck!! Between Frk's BOOMING slapper & Double A's speed, LA has some talented youngster!!

I don't think the Kings will break up the Kempe-Vilardi-Frk line, so "second line" and "third line" comes down to ice time. The other line will be made up of three of Grundstrom, Athanasiou, Amadio, and Carter. Number the lines as you will.

It's not no risk. The risk is that he chips in some points but continues to be a defensive liability, and thus a net negative influence. There's your risk. A guy who scores 20 but is scored on 40 times.

Lets put Austin Wagner and AA on a line together and see who can catch them. Just for fun put Byfield in the middle.

Lets put Austin Wagner and AA on a line together and see who can catch them. Just for fun put Byfield in the middle.
- KingsFan67

Have them as the 4th line wingers with Lizzotte. That would be a fast fun energy line.

It's not no risk. The risk is that he chips in some points but continues to be a defensive liability, and thus a net negative influence. There's your risk. A guy who scores 20 but is scored on 40 times.
- Kooleus

...and thus guarantees a high draft pick again. The no-risk part is that they gave up nothing to get him. Either way, the Kings win.

My concern is actually the opposite. That players like AA come in and play remarkably well, catapulting the Kings up the standings. If the veterans continue to be bad or even mediocre, they still won't make the playoffs, and that could result in a ~15th overall pick.

...and thus guarantees a high draft pick again. The no-risk part is that they gave up nothing to get him. Either way, the Kings win.

My concern is actually the opposite. That players like AA come in and play remarkably well, catapulting the Kings up the standings. If the veterans continue to be bad or even mediocre, they still won't make the playoffs, and that could result in a ~15th overall pick.
- tkecanuck341

So if he stinks and is -46 again, then you're happy, because you didn't give up any assets, and you get better lottery odds.

And if he scores 40 goals, then you're happy, because you didn't give up any assets, and you can go back to this article and say, "see I told you this was a no-risk signing".

Either way you're right. Awesome.

So if he stinks and is -46 again, then you're happy, because you didn't give up any assets, and you get better lottery odds.

And if he scores 40 goals, then you're happy, because you didn't give up any assets, and you can go back to this article and say, "see I told you this was a no-risk signing".

Either way you're right. Awesome.
- Kooleus

That's pretty much the definition of no-risk.

Ben Shelley: Analyzing the Andreas Athanasiou signing
- Ben-Shelley.

perhaps a steal, I liked his game, one bad year of injury seems to have derailed him ...

AA received big money this season for being a North - South skater. Yes speed kills but he needs to use it while playing with others. Let’s see what kind of production AA has this season? He had an opportunity to play with McDavid, how’d that go?

AA is not a player suitable for NHL play, especially a rebuilding team. He has proven to be completely un-coachable while setting a poor example for a youthful nucleus. Furthermore, as it is unlikely he will have any value at the trade deadline, this deal is quite mystifying.

AA received big money this season for being a North - South skater. Yes speed kills but he needs to use it while playing with others. Let’s see what kind of production AA has this season? He had an opportunity to play with McDavid, how’d that go?
- Tee56

AA is not a player suitable for NHL play, especially a rebuilding team. He has proven to be completely un-coachable while setting a poor example for a youthful nucleus. Furthermore, as it is unlikely he will have any value at the trade deadline, this deal is quite mystifying.
- Jackie Datona

All valid concerns out-of-context, but inapplicable to the Kings who don't have a youthful nucleus that will see significant ice time this year nor are they looking to AA to elevate the club into contention with a 200' game he doesn't possess. He's not on significant money, and if he performs, AA will get flipped at the deadline. Simple.

He should be on the 2nd line, but he probably will be on the third line because McLellan seems to like Kempe too much.