Red Wings' Athanasiou confident he'll make opening night roster
Andreas Athanasiou certainly doesn't lack confidence.
The Detroit Red Wings forward is already eyeing the 2016-17 season, one that he feels will begin with him in the Red Wings' starting lineup.
"I'm not worried about that," Athanasiou said, according to Brendan Savage of MLive.com. "I'm confident in my abilities.
"I do what I can out there and like I said, it's their decision and I'm doing to do the best I can to make it as easy as possible. Just take it day to day. Come September I'm going to be ready to play."
After beginning the season with the Grand Rapids Griffins of the American Hockey League last season - where he put up eight goals and 16 points in 26 games - and a short six-game stint with the Red Wings in November, the 21-year-old joined the team full-time in February.
He managed 13 points in 31 games during his final stretch, leading the Red Wings with 1.62 goals per 60 minutes, while averaging just over nine minutes of ice-time per game.
"It's such a tough situation, obviously, with the team we had," said Athanasiou. "There's reliable players that the coach has and obviously when you step in halfway through the season and produce, it kind of puts them in a situation where they have to juggle lines and stuff.
"We did a pretty good job with it. Unfortunately, I got the minutes I got. I'm not complaining. I'm OK with that. Obviously I want it to be more but that's just my foot in the door there, so now I've got to kind to come in."
Whatever decision comes from head coach Jeff Blashill regarding the opening-day roster, Athanasiou remains confident he'll be there.
"I think my confidence just comes from what I've been through, everything I've gone (through) growing up and getting to the National Hockey League. That's where you build you confidence and just getting a chance to play here is a big thing.
"I know my game. I know what I'm capable of. So I'm just going to work on my strengths, work on my weaknesses and come September I'll be ready."