New York Rangers: Can Lias Andersson Impact the Rangers Already?
The New York Rangers made large sacrifices for the opportunity to pick Lias Andersson seventh overall in the 2017 NHL Draft. Will he be ready to help by this season or will the Blueshirts have to wait for more development?
Hours before the 2017 NHL Draft on June 23, New York Rangers General Manager Jeff Gorton made a blockbuster deal by sending away Derek Stepan and Anti Raanta to the Arizona Coyotes for the No. 7 overall pick and young defenseman Anthony DeAngelo.
It was the highest pick the Rangers have had in 13 years when they selected goaltender Al Montoya sixth overall in the 2004 NHL Draft.
The trade helped the Coyotes massively in the present while helping the Rangers for the future…or could it already start to pay off this season?
The Rangers used their high draft pick to take 18-year-old Swedish center, Lias Andersson. Since Gorton had just given up his No. 1 center and lost his No. 4 in the expansion draft to Las Vegas in Oscar Lindberg, it was obvious he would replenish the losses with a young talent down the middle.
As time has since progressed, it seems like Andersson might actually be in the conversation to make the Rangers roster right off the bat.
The rookie already has a couple of years of experience playing professionally in Sweden’s premiere league, the SHL (Swedish Hockey League), where he played 64 games and tallied 19 points.
After being drafted, Andersson turned more heads when he represented Sweden in the World Junior Summer Showcase where he buried four goals and an assist in the five games.
This wasn’t the first time Andersson made his home country proud. In 2016, he competed in the IIHF U18 World Junior Championship where he racked up nine points in the seven games. Sweden would go on to win a silver medal. This past year, he played at the U20 level and scored three goals in seven games.
He isn’t the first of his family to make the NHL, as his father, Niklas Andersson, played 165 games as a professional and is now a scout for the Los Angeles Kings.
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That sounds similar to someone else who was a coveted Ranger rookie heading into last season. That would be Jimmy Vesey, whose dad, Jim Vesey, also played in the NHL and is now a scout for the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Heading into the draft, NHL Central Scouting ranked Andersson at third on the final list of international skaters. The 5-foot-11 and 198-pound left-handed two-way center is said to have great decision-making skills and can play in all three zones of the ice.
He is regarded as a player who is known for having an excellent work ethic and strong leadership skills. He can forecheck and isn’t afraid to use his body when it comes to blocking shots either.
Before the preseason commences, Andersson will have an opportunity to tear it up as he heads off to Traverse City, Michigan with the other Rangers prospects to compete in the 2017 NHL Prospect Tournament from Sept. 8-11.
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Andersson is no lock for the opening night roster, but he is certainly more than in the conversation for being the Rangers fourth line center this year. Given his maturity and illustrious achievements, he could be just what the Blueshirts need to make their lineup truly complete.