CHICAGO – With the NHL trade restrictions lifted, the Detroit Red Wings can dig back in with their efforts to upgrade their defense via trade, one of the off-season goals of GM Ken Holland and his staff.



The challenge is finding a defenseman who fits into their long-term plans, one who is in the same age range as their young cornerstone players like Dylan Larkin and Anthony Mantha and one who is available.



It’s a hard equation to crack.



They have a player who might be able to help them crack it. Forward Andreas Athanasiou, who electrified Detroit fans this season with his breakaway speed, is a possible candidate to get moved for a defenseman and there’s belief outside the Red Wings organization they’d be willing to trade him for the right price.



Detroit GM Ken Holland declined to comment on the 22-year-old Athanasiou specifically as a possible trade candidate but spoke in more general terms about his approach to moving any...