Custance: Athanasiou and Red Wings moving closer to a split

Now, it’s starting to get complicated.
When a deal between the Red Wings and restricted free agent forward Andreas Athanasiou didn’t get done in training camp, it was playing out like a traditional negotiation.
The Red Wings had leverage because Athanasiou was a restricted free agent without arbitration rights. He wrestled some back by getting a KHL offer.
The two sides met in Toronto during the first Saturday of training camp, the only time during these talks Athanasiou and Red Wings GM Ken Holland spoke face to face. The message was made clear to the talented winger: Athanasiou’s role on the Red Wings was going to increase.