What the Detroit Red Wings will do after the trading of Gustav Nyquist

When they arrive in the last quarter of their season, Detroit The Red Wings are refocusing on their future.

Gustav Nyquist's trade has led to a reshuffling of the lines, and a new look is that Andreas Athanasiou will play in the center of the last 19 games. This is an opportunity to see if he can thrive there in the long run, like what the Wings did two years ago when Dylan Larkin moved from wing to center.

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"If AA can be an elite level center, it will help us in our organization and we will see if that is the case," coach Jeff Blashill said Monday. "It's good to play against him in the wings or in the center, but we'll see if that's the case. He will play against tough games, play good minutes and, finally, see if we are a better team with him at this position. He is intelligent. He can distribute the puck.

"I had met Doubles a long time ago and it was the meeting. I give you a lot on the shoulders and it will be for the year. Let's see if that will not help us become a better hockey team. If I'm in his place, I know, so I can go and play, improve and have reps, make sure that I participate in face-offs, and so on.

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According to Monday's practice, Athanasiou will be centered on Tyler Bertuzzi and Filip Zadina. This is a good opportunity for Zadina, because Athanasiou can be offensive and Bertuzzi is an informed player.

"I will do my best to fill that spot and maybe play it next season," Zadina said. "I just want to play good hockey and stay put until the end of nine games."

The Wings welcome Montreal Tuesday (7:30 pm, Fox Sports Detroit); the Canadians are one of the teams that put Zadina to the repechage, which prompted what has become a viral response of Zadina"I told my agent that if they passed me, I'll fill their nets with pucks. I want to prove to Detroit that they are making a very good decision. "

Zadina smiled when asked if she could score against the Canadian, pointing out that "it would be a special night, but that would be the first goal in the NHL, no matter the team."

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Thomas Vanek (hip flexor) will miss Tuesday's game. Larkin should play with Anthony Mantha and Darren Helm. The departure of Nyquist particularly hit Larkin, who played with him a good part of the season.

"It's a tough time of the year," said Larkin. "We are all close here, we are fighting for 60 games. When your teammate and your linemate, someone on whom I counted to generate the offense, go away, it is difficult. But he will have a great opportunity. "

The Wings have entered a second-round pick in 2019 and a conditional third-round pick in 2020 among the San Jose Sharks in exchange for Nyquist, as part of a deal announced Monday morning. It offers, in the immediate future, the opportunity to take a look at a guy who plays a central role in rebuilding a skilled line. Zadina played 10:38 in his debut Sunday, and his teammates are eager to see more.

"He has a lot of talent," said Larkin. "He needs a couple of times where you say, wow, he's got a great shot, he's moving his feet well and has a good sense of hockey, the more ice time he has and the more he'll be involved, the more I think that's will be a very dangerous player. "

Contact Helene St. James at [email protected]. Follow her on Twitter @helenestjames. Learn more about the Detroit Red Wings and sign up for our Red Wings newsletter.