LA Kings: Three players who exceeded expected production metrics
By Ryan Sikes
2. Andreas Athanasiou (+3.15 GF% vs xGF%)
The 26-year-old forward was a late addition to the team, signed as a free agent just days before training camp opened. Andreas Athanasiou quarantined before joining the team in camp, and he joined Lizotte on the NHL’s COVID protocol list. He missed the same amount of time but put up 23 points in 47 games.
Over an 82-game schedule, Athanasiou is a 40-point player.
The early reports suggest that the former Red Wing and Oiler will return next season, and perhaps he was the victim of playing with a poor quality of teammates, but he still managed to register a net +3.15 GF% vs xGF%.
Evolving Hockey projects his next contract to be a two-year deal worth $3.22M AAV. I can’t imagine what the Kings’ offensive numbers would have been if Athanasiou wasn’t brought in. He has such a unique skill set, one that features blazing speed and good finishing ability.
Athanasiou will be a welcome re-sign this offseason, but the team needs to surround him with better talent.