NHL notebook: Red Wings finally sign Athanasiou

The Detroit Red Wings agreed in principle to a one-year deal with restricted free-agent forward Andreas Athanasiou on Friday.

The deal, for $1.3875 million, will not become official until the Red Wings clear enough cap space to fit Athanasiou in.

The speedy 23-year-old, who scored 18 goals and had 29 points along with a minus-7 rating in 64 games last season, held out of training camp waiting for a deal and was considering offers overseas.

“Here to announce we’ve agreed to a one-year contract with Andreas Athanasiou, pending some things need to happen,” Red Wings general manager Ken Holland said. “He’s in Europe, he needs to travel back from Europe. Monday morning we’re going to apply for his work visa to work in the United States. Obviously, once he gets here he has to pass a physical.”

–The Boston Bruins announced Friday that defenseman Adam McQuaid will miss the next eight weeks while recovering from a broken leg.

McQuaid suffered the break to his right fibula during Thursday night’s win over the Vancouver Canucks when he blocked two shots during the same shift.

McQuaid, 31, has one assist in six games this season.

Also, Boston goalie Tuukka Rask is out with a concussion, and David Krejci has been sidelined with an upper-body injury. Krejci may return for Saturday’s game against Buffalo.

–The NHL suspended Vancouver Canucks defenseman Erik Gudbranson one game without pay for his hit on Boston Bruins forward Frank Vatrano on Thursday.

As a result, Gudbranson will miss Friday’s game against the Buffalo Sabres.

Gudbranson hit Vatrano from behind at 6:13 of the first period. Gudbranson also received a game misconduct and a fighting major after being confronted by the Bruins’ Tim Schaller after the hit.

Vancouver recalled defenseman Patrick Wiercioch from AHL Utica to take the roster spot of Gudbranson.

–The Columbus Blue Jackets activated forwards Boone Jenner and Sam Vigneault off injured reserve.

To make room on the active roster, the Jackets assigned Vigneault and forward Markus Hannikainen to the Cleveland Monsters of the American Hockey League.

Jenner, 24, has been sidelined since prior to training camp with a back injury.

Vigneault, 22, broke his finger during training camp. He joined the organization as a free agent in March.

–The Buffalo Sabres recalled defenseman Taylor Fedun from the Rochester Americans of the American Hockey League after placing forward Jacob Josefson on injured reserve.

Josefson, 26, suffered a lower-body injury in Sunday’s game against the Anaheim Ducks and was forced to leave in the second period. He was seen at practice this week in a walking boot on his right foot.

Josefson, 26, has no points in six games this season.