New York Islanders: Possible Trade for Andreas Athanasiou (Opinion)

There is a potential trade opportunity for the New York Islanders. Rumor has it Detroit Red Wings forward Andreas Athanasiou could be on the market. The Isles could be trading partners with the Wings.

Andreas Athanasiou and the Detroit Red Wings General Manager, Ken Holland have not seen eye to eye regarding his new contract. What doesn’t help matters is the lack of cap flexibility the Wings currently find themselves in. Is the door open for the New York Islanders to land Athanasiou?

The left winger, Athanasiou is six-foot-two and 188 pounds. The fourth-round pick in 2012 had a nice year last season posting 18 goals and 29 points. Athanasiou has size, speed, and provides offense.

Right now Athanasiou is a young guy who brings secondary scoring to a team. He is a player with a high ceiling.

Why Detroit Would Deal Him

Given Athanasiou’s age (23), abilities, and upside one would ask why would Detroit trade him? A couple of reasons why the Wings should listen intently to offers.

Detroit already has talented young forwards in Dylan Larkin and Anthony Mantha. In addition, their top two prospects Evgeny Svechnikov and Michael Rasmussen are forwards.

Also, the biggest organizational need for Detroit is defenseman. Mike Green (age 32) is a UFA at season’s end and will most likely be elsewhere next year.

Niklas Kronwall will be 37 in January and Trevor Daley who was signed to a 3-year deal over the summer just turned 34.

The Wings need talent, depth, and youth on their blue line. This is an area of strength for the Isles.

Isles Pitch

The Isles have a number of promising young defenseman they could move for Athanasiou. The Isles could move Ryan Pulock, Adam Pelech, or Scott Mayfield in a deal with Detroit.

Do the Isles feel comfortable with their young defenseman that they would move Calvin de Haan? de Haan is a UFA at season’s end.

The Isles also have three top blue line prospects in Devon Toews, Parker Wotherspoon, and Robin Salo.

The Isles have an abundance of riches when it comes to talented young defenseman in their organization. This is something the Wings desperately need.

If the Wings pull a Joe Sakic mentality than Garth Snow should simply hang up the phone. However, Holland should be a lot smarter than that.

There aren’t many trades in the NHL anymore. There are many reasons for this. However, this would have a legitimate shot at happening considering that both sides look like strong dance partners.

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Athanasiou would give the Isles a talented young forward for the next few years and they would be dealing from strength.

There is a potential trade opportunity for the New York Islanders. Rumor has it Detroit Red Wings forward Andreas Athanasiou could be on the market. The Isles could be trading partners with the Wings.

Why Detroit Would Deal Him

Isles Pitch

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