from Ted Kulfan of the Detroit News,

It appears Athanasiou will be playing more at center, probably playing with Thomas Vanek on one wing — for Sunday’s Red & White scrimmage rookie Filip Zadina will be on the other wing, an interesting line to be sure — and a likelihood of increased playing time.

If that’s the case, Athanasiou has the opportunity to more closer reach the potential he’s teased but has yet been unable to consistently exhibit.

“It’s just consistently playing,” Athanasiou said. “When I get those consistent minutes, I consistently produce. So as long as those minutes don’t fluctuate from a lot to a little, if it’s a comfortable amount of minutes, I can definitely produce with it.

“Anytime you can take another step and become a bigger role player in this league, it’s definitely a good feeling,” said Athanasiou Saturday after the Red Wings completed a training camp practice. “It’s going to be sad not being on the ice with Z, but everyone is going to have to step up and take over those minutes that he played.

“And everyone will do a good job stepping up and I’m happy to be part of that, too.”

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