DETROIT –Detroit Red Wings coach Jeff Blashill moved Dylan Larkin to center two years ago at this time, despite concerns about his defense, and it worked out well.

Blashill hopes for similar results by having Andreas Athanasiou at center for the remainder of the season, a move he revealed after practice Monday.

“Because of Larkin’s approach, because of his drive, because of his ability to continue to improve, he’s become a top-line center,” Blashill said. “I’m hoping putting Doubles in that spot, it can ultimately produce for us a top-two line center and ultimately we’re a way better hockey team.”

Athanasiou will center a line with Tyler Bertuzzi and Filip Zadina, in his second NHL game, Tuesday against the Montreal Canadiens at Little Caesars Arena (7:30 p.m., Fox Sports Detroit). Larkin will center Anthony Mantha and Darren Helm, following Gustav Nyquist’s trade to San Jose on Sunday.

“Mantha obviously has played real well with Larks when he’s played with him, as has Bert,” Blashill said. “But we need to get some depth of scoring. We need to produce more chances from other lines on a regular basis other than Larkin’s line.

“Ultimately, if AA can be an elite-level center, that will help us in our organization, so we’re going to see if that’s the case. He’s going to play against hard matchups and play good minutes and ultimately see if we’re a better team with him at that position.”

Blashill had a lengthy meeting with Athanasiou on Monday and told him “I’m going to put lots on your shoulders.

“At center, it’s easier to get him the ice time that could have a greater impact if he plays great games,” Blashill said.

“I’ve said to him, ‘I’ve seen you be a great center.’ I don’t care that it was in the American League. He’s quick on the puck, he can outnumber, he’s smart, he can distribute the puck. I think he’s got more give-and-go game than he’s shown recently.

“When I watch our chances, we don’t have enough guys to transport the puck from one end to the other and he’s a puck-control type guy.”

Athanasiou is second on the team with 22 goals and third with 39 points.

“I also said to him, we need guys that are going to help us win games. So, you got to win your shift on a regular basis,” Blashill said. “Every night you got to be between 90 and 100 percent your best.

“I made the point like last night’s game (5-3 loss to San Jose), there was probably a lot of players that played good but there were a few players that played great and Joe Pavelski (who had a hat trick) was one of them. He does that night after night. I think (Logan) Couture is the same way. If we can get AA playing at center with that kind of consistency, we’re a way better team.”

Blashill said Frans Nielsen will center the third line, with Luke Glendening and Michael Rasmussen. Jacob de la Rose will center the fourth line with Justin Abdelkader and Luke Witkowski, or they’ll dress 11 forwards and Witkowski as the seventh defenseman.

Thomas Vanek will miss his second game in a row and might be out longer due to a hip flexor.

“We’re going to reassess where he’s at on Thursday, to see if he’ll be ready for the games on the trip (Saturday and next Tuesday),” Blashill said. “We’ll take that day by day. I don’t think if he’s out necessarily a long time, but it could be.”

Blashill indicated his power-play units will look like this:

1. Rasmussen (net front), Larkin (slot), Athanasiou and Mantha (half walls), Hronek (point).

2. Abdelkader (net front), Bertuzzi (slot), Nielsen and Zadina (half walls), Green (point).

Blashill said defenseman Madison Bowey will make his Red Wings debut Tuesday. No word on who he’ll replace.

Goaltender Jimmy Howard returned to practice Monday after missing a few days with the flu. He is available to play Tuesday, but Blashill said he hadn’t decided who will start.