DETROIT - The agent for Andreas Athanasiou said there is a wide gap between offers the young forward has received from the Detroit Red Wings and some KHL clubs.

Athanasiou, a restricted free agent, is in the process of deciding if he wants to stay in the NHL or play in Russia.

"Andreas is evaluating the pros and cons of all the offers," agent Darren Ferris said in a text to MLive. "Andreas loves Detroit and especially the Detroit fans but he has to really consider the serious offers from the KHL he has before him. There is a considerable difference in the amount of money."

Ferris said on Monday he is expecting to have a decision this week.

Red Wings general manager Ken Holland said he remains in contact with Ferris but "the ball is in their court. They have a decision to make."

Holland said he has made multiple good-faith offers based on comparables -- NHL players of similar age and accomplishments (games, goals, points per game, etc.).

The Red Wings are in a salary-cap bind - they're roughly $3 million over the $75 million cap - but will get some relief when Johan Franzen ($3.95 million cap hit) is placed on long-term injured reserve at the start of the season. Holland has said he still expects to be slightly over the cap if Athanasiou is signed, requiring him to make another move.

But the cap isn't the reason the Red Wings, who have made offers of one and two years, don't have a deal with the fast-skating winger who has 27 goals and 43 points in 101 NHL games. They're determined to negotiate based on comparables, not what on a player can get in the KHL. Otherwise, other young players (Dylan Larkin and Anthony Mantha are up for new deals after the season) could use offers from Russia as a basis for their NHL contract.