Blackhawks Re-Sign Pending Unrestricted Free Agent

The Chicago Blackhawks are bringing an eight-year NHL veteran back into the fold for 2023-24, agreeing to a two-year contract extension with pending unrestricted free agent forward Andreas Athanasiou.

It's a 2-year, $8.5M deal with an AAV of $4.25 million.

#Blackhawks reportedly re-sign Andreas Athanasiou to a 2-year extension at a cap hit of $4.25 million 🇬🇷 https://t.co/Gc4iBrl2SA

— Charlie Roumeliotis (@CRoumeliotis) June 7, 2023

Athanasiou, 28, registered 40 points on 20 goals and 20 assists in 81 games this past season and left a lasting impression on the 'Hawks, closing the year strong with 12 points in the final 10 games.

Andreas Athanasiou hits the 20-goal and 40-point mark with a game-tying goal in the final minutes of regulation. Wow. #Blackhawks pic.twitter.com/57EXNiPFsf

— Charlie Roumeliotis (@CRoumeliotis) April 14, 2023

It's an especially sweet deal for Athanasiou, as it's quite possible that he will serve as a linemate to the incoming generational talent Connor Bedard when Chicago selects him first overall in the NHL Draft later this month. 

The speedy Athanasiou has a total of 125 goals and 111 assists in 459 career games over his eight NHL seasons with the Blackhawks, Los Angeles Kings, Edmonton Oilers and Detroit Red Wings.

Photo: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports