Report: Athanasiou to begin skating in Switzerland amid contract dispute

With his contract negotiations stuck in neutral, Andreas Athanasiou is reportedly headed to Switzerland.

The restricted free agent is flying to the European nation Friday night and will start skating with Lugano of the Swiss-based National League, TSN's Bob McKenzie reports.

Athanasiou hasn't signed a contract or made any commitments in Switzerland, and the forward will evaluate his options once he begins skating there, adds McKenzie.

The Detroit Red Wings reportedly offered the 23-year-old a two-year, $3.8-million contract last month.

There was thought to have been some progress made in talks in September, but the Red Wings opened training camp, then the preseason, and then the regular season Thursday night without him.

Athanasiou has 27 goals and 43 points in 101 games over his first two campaigns with Detroit.