DETROIT - As a 23-year-old restricted free agent coming off his entry-level contract, with no arbitration rights and little leverage, Andreas Athanasiou has played the KHL card.

The fast-skating, offensively gifted forward, according to his agent, is considering offers to play in Russia next season.

Is this legitimate? Is it a negotiating tactic? It could be both.

There is no reason to doubt Darren Ferris, who confirmed to MLive on Tuesday that his client is being courted by the KHL. Athanasiou wouldn't be the first NHL player, young or veteran, to go overseas for more money, tax-free. His skill-set (elite speed, terrific one-on-one moves, good hands and finishing ability) would translate well in Russia.

The Red Wings can only hope it's an attempt by Athanasiou's camp to gain leverage in stagnant negotiations.

What kind of deal is Athanasiou seeking? Ferris wouldn't comment. What are the Red Wings offering? General manager Ken Holland, who couldn't be reached for comment, said two weeks ago he has made multiple offers and will continue discussions. My guess is the club offered a two-year bridge deal worth around $1.5 million a season and would probably be willing to bump it up a bit.

How much can Athanasiou earn in Russia? You would have to think it must be much more than $2 million a season to make it worth his while to pack up and leave the best league in the world to live in a foreign land, away from friends and family.

The Red Wings, with several bloated contracts, have salary-cap issues. They're currently committed to roughly $77.5 million, slightly above the $75 million ceiling. That's accounting for 11 forwards, eight defensemen and two goaltenders, among active players, as well as injured Johan Franzen and bought-out Stephen Weiss.

They will get cap relief, close to $3.95 million, by placing Franzen on long-term injured reserve at the start of the season.

That still wouldn't provide enough space to sign Athanasiou and leave wiggle room to recall a player from the Grand Rapids Griffins as a temporary injury replacement.

Holland said recently he expected to be slightly over the cap after signing Athanasiou but would deal with it after the preseason (by trade or waivers) in case there is a significant injury in training camp or the exhibition season.

But the Athanasiou deal isn't being delayed due to cap concerns. The Red Wings, from what I gather, aren't worried about how they'll clear cap space. They have options.

The contract isn't done, I believe, because the club has a figure in mind of what it thinks Athanasiou, with one full NHL season, is worth and doesn't want to disrupt its salary structure.

Fans might argue that Athanasiou should be paid upwards of $2.5 million a season, even $3 million or more, based on his potential. But if the Red Wings acquiesced, they'd be forced to pay even more to sign young forwards Dylan Larkin and Anthony Mantha next summer, when their contracts are up.

It's a balancing act for the Red Wings.

Athanasiou is the team's most electrifying player, with tremendous offensive upside. He finished second on the team with 18 goals and had 29 points in 64 games last season, while averaging 13:28 in ice time (11th among the club's forwards). As a rookie in 2015-16, he averaged only 9:01 but managed nine goals and 14 points in 37 games, with limited power-play time.

Coach Jeff Blashill was critical of Athanasiou at times last season, saying his compete level (skating hard more often, winning more puck battles) and attention to detail (fewer defensive lapses) needs to be more consistent. He was benched in some games and a healthy scratch in at least one.

Fair or unfair, that might factor into Athanasiou's decision as well.

Ultimately, I think the Red Wings and Athanasiou will get a deal done. If not, they would retain his NHL rights. But losing this talented young player, even for a year or two, would be a big blow for a team that finished 16 points out of the final playoff spot and ranked 26th in the NHL in goals per game.