Red Wings forward Andreas Athanasiou creates a lot of scoring chances with his elite speed (AP file photo).

Possibility of losing young talent has fans riled up

DETROIT – As news surfaced this week that Andreas Athanasiou is contemplating an offer to play in Russia, many Detroit Red Wings fans panicked over the possibility of losing a talented, young forward.

Could this happen? What are the club’s options?

MLive readers want to know.

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The Red Wings' Andreas Athanasiou has scored 27 goals in 101 games over the past two seasons (AP file photo).

What kind of riches are available in Russia?

Q: What are the odds Athanasiou goes to the KHL? Is it posturing? What kind of deal can he get there as opposed to from the Wings? – Dave

A: I can't put odds on it. I think there's a chance he could wind up in the KHL but still believe he'll reach a deal with the Red Wings before training camp.

I have no idea what a 23-year-old player with 27 goals and 41 points in 101 games could earn in Russia, but I think it would have to be substantially more than what he can get from the Red Wings (my guess is between $1.5 million and $2 million per season for two years) for Athanasiou to go overseas. I doubt that it’s worth going for slightly more money, even though it’s tax-free there.

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Red Wings forward Dylan Larkin is up for a new contract next season (MLive/Mike Mulholland).

Each contract can create a domino effect

Q: This team has so many bad contracts and overpaid players – (Justin) Abdelkader, (Darren) Helm, (Frans) Nielsen, (Gustav) Nyquist -- who don't produce enough. Double-A delivers and doesn't even play as many minutes. Why can't management just pay the man what he's worth? – Mort

A: You can't use those players are comparables. They've been in the league much longer and accomplished more throughout their careers.

The Red Wings know whatever they pay Athanasiou, they might need to pay more to Anthony Mantha next summer. And whatever Mantha gets, Dylan Larkin probably will get even more. I think that’s part of their decision process.

Athanasiou is going to get paid handsomely if he keeps improving and producing, but that generally happens on the player’s third contract, after he’s proven himself over a few full seasons.

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Andreas Athanasiou ranked second on the Red Wings with 18 goals in 2016-17 (AP file photo).

Agent, player might jump at this offer

Q: I think a three-year contract for AA will do: $2.5 million for 2017-2018, $3 million for 2018-2019 and $3.5 million for 2019-2020. That's $9 million for three years. That's reasonable! AA is a real gem of a player! There is no telling how great AA will become. At this point, you have to lock up AA 'til 26 years of age. When his new contract expires, he will still be an RFA. – Maya

A: I'm sure Athanasiou would jump at that deal, but I doubt the Red Wings would offer that much. Whatever term he gets (one, two or three years), they'll make sure he's a restricted free agent when the contract expires.

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Thomas Vanek might become an option for the Red Wings if Andreas Athanasiou leaves (AP file photo).

Time to start pondering Plan B?

Q: How do the Red Wings fill the void if Athanasiou leaves? -- Jackie

A: Athanasiou was second on the team with 18 goals in just 64 games – on a club that struggled offensively (26th in goals per game). The Red Wings are hoping several players can be more productive (including Nyquist, Abdelkader, Dylan Larkin and Riley Sheahan) but without Athanasiou, they might look to add a free agent.

Thomas Vanek would be the most viable option, if they can sign him to a one-year deal (he has been seeking two years).

They would still need to create some cap space by trading or waiving a player, unless someone with a relatively substantial cap hit, besides Johan Franzen, has a long-term injury.

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Evgeny Svechnikov, the Red Wings' top pick in 2015, likely will spend another season in Grand Rapids (AP file photo).

Might opportunity knock for another young player?

Q: If Athanasiou bolts for Russia, could this open the door for (Evgeny) Svechnikov to step in and show what he can do? – L.K.

A: I doubt it. I don't think Svechnikov is ready for a full-time role in the NHL. He'll spend another season in Grand Rapids, maybe getting called up for a few games now and then.

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Tomas Tatar has scored a team-high 75 goals over the past three seasons with the Red Wings (MLive/Mike Mulholland).

Another bad contract?

Q: My frustration with (general manager Ken) Holland is growing. That deal he just gave to (Tomas) Tatar is looking really bad right now. -- Steve

A: Tatar signed for four years at a $5.3 million cap hit. That's slightly higher than I thought he would get ($5 million), but not outrageous. He led the team in goals last season (25) and has more goals than any Red Wing the past three years (75). But, he needs to be more consistent -- 11 goals came after March 1, when the team was out of the playoff race.

Tatar is 26 and his game isn’t predicated on speed, so I believe there is little risk that he’ll lose his effectiveness toward the end of the deal. I expect him to continue averaging about 25 goals a season going forward.

They have several contracts that are worse.

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Darren Helm's contract could make him difficult to trade, if the Red Wings were inclined to do so (AP file photo).

Would Penguins be interested in a center?

Q: Would the Penguins have any interest in Nielsen or (Darren) Helm for their center vacancy, provided either of those players are interested in waiving their NMC/NTC? – Scott

A: I highly doubt it. Too much term and money. Nielsen has five years remaining at a $5.25 million cap hit and Helm four years to go at $3.85 million per.

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Drew Miller spent eight seasons with the Red Wings (AP file photo).

A familiar veteran for the fourth line?

Q: What about Drew Miller? In recent years, I always was a Miller fan, knowing his limited hockey skill-set, but he is a 100 percent willing player with some body play and PK qualities as a true fourth-liner. Unfortunately for him the team changed, stars are mostly gone, and there is more need of scoring from the fourth line – Torsten

A: Miller, 33, remains unsigned. I don't believe the Red Wings are interested in signing him, even at the NHL minimum ($650,000). They're hoping Tyler Bertuzzi earns a fourth-line job alongside Sheahan and Luke Glendening. They also have Luke Witkowski, who can play right wing or defense. If they need someone from Grand Rapids, they can recall Ben Street or Matt Lorito.