from David Staples of the Edmonton Journal,

The word right now is that Holland will see if he can get Athanasiou to sign for less than his qualifying offer. For the player to do that, he’d have to assess the market, determine he can’t get more elsewhere, and decide Edmonton is his best bet, even at reduced wages, with the number of $2.2 million per year floated. It could well be that Athanasiou could only command that amount on the free market, but it may take Athanasiou going to market to find out this vital fact. He and the Oilers may well go that route, with Edmonton then circling back to the player if he doesn’t get an offer to his liking. That’s another option here. Perhaps it’s the best one for all parties. I’m uncertain, but if Holland does decide to qualify the player on a one-year deal that wouldn’t be a terrible strategy, given the winger’s scoring potential.

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