LA Kings Sign UFA Forward to One-Year Deal

The Los Angeles Kings have added to their speed and skill by signing Andreas Athanasiou to a one-year contract. The deal pays the 26-year-old speedy winger $1.2 million next season.

Athanasiou spent last year split between the Detroit Red Wings and Edmonton Oilers, but it was certainly a season the Mississauga, ON native would love to soon forget. He finished with only two points in nine games with the Oilers, and collected 24 points in 46 games with the Wings. Not to mention he finished the year minus 45.

Andreas Athanasiou, signed 1x$1.2M by LA, is an all-offence run-and-gun goal scorer who didn't score goals last year. #LAKIngs pic.twitter.com/pZTvg9BTrU
— JFresh (@JFreshHockey) December 28, 2020

Athanasiou's best season came back in 2019 when he tallied 54 points, including 30 goals in 76 games. The Kings are hoping a change of scenery can do wonders for the winger, and the team can give him a fresh start where he can play himself up the lineup. There's no doubt his speed and skill plays in the NHL, it just comes down to opportunity, determination and consistency.

In 303 games so far throughout his NHL career, Athanasiou's scored 84 goals and 156 points. The Kings are hoping his 85th goal comes in a couple weeks.

Photo credit: Danny Murphy/Icon Sportswire