NHL insider Elliotte Friedman has shared some shocking news, that the <a href='https://www.nhl.com/blackhawks/' class='lien_marqueur' target='_blank' rel='noopener'>Chicago Blackhawks</a> are preparing to place 30-goal scorer Andreas Athanasiou on waivers. According to Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman, the Chicago Blackhawks plan to waive veteran center Andreas Athanasiou, as early as Monday. <a href='https://www.si.com/onsi/breakaway/news-feed-page/chicago-blackhawks-andreas-athanasiou-next-surprise-waiver-wire' class='lien_marqueur' target='_blank' rel='noopener'>The move would free up a roster spot in their organization</a>, for which their plans are not yet known. <div align='center'><blockquote class='twitter-tweet' data-lang='en'><a href='https://twitter.com/FriedgeHNIC/status/1855975500583244120'> </a></blockquote></div> Athanasiou is 30 and inked a two-year, $8.5 million extension with Chicago in 2023 after a season in which he scored 20 goals and 40 points. At the time, Chicago was counting on his speed and offensive skill to help the Blackhawks' top nine, at least as they began a rebuilding phase. <div align='center'><blockquote class='twitter-tweet' data-lang='en'><a href='https://twitter.com/spittinchiclets/status/1586893318285402114'> </a></blockquote></div> One of the league's fastest skaters, Athanasiou has shown he can be effective when healthy, though injuries have limited him to fewer than 70 games in most of his 10-year career. But Athanasiou hasn't played well since then. He battled through a lower-body injury last season, missing 53 games. And while he's remained off the injured reserve this year, he's mostly been absent from the lineup: in his first five games of the year, he recorded no points and averaged just 9:36 per game before being held out for nine straight from Oct. 22 to Nov. 8. Even last season, where he had limited appearances, he managed only two goals with seven assists across 28 games. While decent in possession numbers, his offensive output hasn't justified his $4.25 million cap hit. If he were on a mid-value contract, teams may consider taking a flyer on his scoring potential at a middle-six level. The high cap hit likely deters any team from claiming him outright at this point. Assuming he clears waivers, other teams can approach the Blackhawks about a trade in which they retain some of his salary and he is sent to the minors. With retention, of course, Athanasiou can be acquired for as low as $2.125 million, freeing up ample space for an interested team and allowing for possibilities in Chicago.