Athanasiou out 2-3 weeks, Smith recalled

The injury bug strikes once again. It was Anthony Mantha last week, Danny DeKeyser the week before, and this time it’s speedy forward Andreas Athanasiou. Tuesday afternoon it was announced Athanasiou will be sidelined the next 2-3 weeks with a lower-body injury. Athanasiou missed some time to start the season with injury as well.

This is another big time blow to the Red Wings lineup. Whether the coaching staff likes it or not, this might mean Filip Zadina’s workload is about to see a spike. Unless head coach Jeff Blashill leans more to a Luke Glendening, this bodes well in terms of opportunity for Zadina.

In addition to the Athanasiou injury, Givani Smith has been recalled from the Grand Rapids Griffins. Smith skated with the team this morning, so he should be good to go for tonight’s game. Whether he draws into the lineup or is up in the pressbox is yet to be seen. The power-forward played five games for the Red Wings earlier in the season.