The original questions was that where did this Atnasiou go.
I have an answer. His conditioning wasn't able to handle bigger 20 minute ice-time for a longer period. He shined with those smaller icetimes (great Goals/60 etc.) but currently can't handle bigger ice-times on a 82-game schedule. He scored a lot on some games, where he did got those huge ice-times, but then did hit a wall. Like Larkin did hit the wall on his rookie season. AA did get exhausted, and when he gets exhausted, his defensive game disappears. Then also disappears the coaches trust, and his ice-time will regress.
So, he got his chance for bigger role, and wasn't able to handle it. Now, he doesn't have to whine about a bigger role, until he works harder to be in better overall shape. He has all the talent, but does he have the WILL to be a great pro?
The injuries have affected on him at earlier seasons. The jaw injury was especially bad, because he lost a lot of weight and muscle on that time. He has to build that back. And I don't know what did he do when he was sitting out at the start of the season. He surely was left behind in game-shape and probably tried some shortcut and now is exhausted.
The jury is still there with him. Just hope that he will get a new contract done soon, without any unneeded battles which could affect on next season. Then he could totally concentrate for summer training by 100% and he knows his place on this universe. IF Blashill will get fired, he probbaly will get more new hope for himself. Even if everything wasn't Blashill's fault, I'm 100% sure AA himself sees the situation like that.