New Jersey Devils: 5 Players To Consider From Edmonton Oilers

Andreas Athanasiou

Andreas Athanasiou was one of the many moves at this year’s NHL Trade Deadline. Ken Holland brought in a player he knew very well, but it didn’t always seem to click. He had just two points in nine regular-season games with the OIlers, then he went scoreless in the four-game loss to the Blackhawks. The Oilers spent two 2nd-round picks and Sam Gagner to make the trade happen.

The Oilers are actually down their 2nd, 3rd (most likely), and 4th-round picks this season. That’s not what you want to give up when the player can barely break a 10-minute average TOI in the playoffs. The Oilers didn’t like what they got from Athanasiou, and they proved it with how they played him.

He’s going to be a restricted free agent this season. It would be a major surprise, and a huge knock early on Ken Holland if he doesn’t give him a qualifying offer. It’s possible he lets him go to free agency, but even if he doesn’t the Devils should inquire. The Devils still have two 2nd-round picks in 2021, meaning the Oilers can recoup at least half of the cost they spend originally. It might be a little bit of an overpay to take a chance on someone but look at it like trading one postseason of Andy Greene for a few years of Athanasiou.

The Devils need to then sign Athanasiou, and he might think he’s getting a raise. He’s not, and the $3 million he’s making this year might be around what he’s worth. He was wildly inconsistent with the Red Wings this season, but that team was a trash heap. In 2018-19, Athanasiou was a 30-goal scorer who had at least four goals in every month except one. This is a 26 year old who can still play next to really good centers. Jack Hughes would bring out the best in Athanasiou.