Chicago Blackhawks Players Preview: Andreas Athanasiou must stay on the ice

When healthy, Andreas Athanasiou is one of the fastest skaters in the NHL. Being healthy enough to skate on a nightly basis has been the problem.

Injuries limited Athanasiou to just 28 games last for the Chicago Blackhawks. That was not envisioned after he registered 40 points in 2022-2023 and played 81 games.

His career-high 30 goals came in 2018-19 when he played in 76 games. Injuries then took their toll on his career as the most games he played in before joining the Hawks was 47 in 2020-2021 with the Los Angeles Kings.

If Athanasiou can stay on the ice as he did during those two career seasons, then that should improve the Hawks' impotent offensive attack.

First, his speed and offensive skill is worthy of being a top-six player. He is projected to be the center of this year's second line while Frank Nazar refines his game in Rockford.

However, if Nazar impresses during training camp or Lukas Reichel shows he is worthy of playing on the second line, that could cause a change in plans.

Athanasiou's versatility allows him to move to wing or center a line although he has not been asked to center a lot for the Hawks. He could be the key to unlocking the potential of Reichel as they developed some good chemistry in the limited time they skated together.

Getting improved offensive production and helping others play better are big reasons the Hawks must have Athanasiou on the ice more than what they got last season.

He must also avoid getting off to a slow start. Before he went on injured reserve last November, he had just four assists. The Blackhawks need the guy who got off to a quick start in his Blackhawks career two seasons ago when he scored six goals and dished out three assists in the first two months of that season.

That was the year he skated a lot. Staying healthy is the floor for Athanasiou. If he can do that, then the ceiling must be replicating what he did two seasons ago.