New York Rangers: Does Lias Andersson have a role on this roster?

Gotta step it up

Lias Anderson is only 20-years-old, I think he will absolutely see development time in Hartford during the regular season regardless of whether or not he breaks camp with the team. As it currently stands, I can only see Andersson playing on the fourth line. While I don’t see him as a bottom-six center, I also don’t think he has brought enough physicality to the ice so far to warrant a winger spot. Especially considering the much scrappier, proven players locked in the lineup.

It’s a hard pill to swallow for New York Rangers organization that someone drafted so high, has thus far failed to deliver. Our site expert, Ed Stein, ranked Andersson as the sixth overall and the number four forward among the Rangers top players under 24 behind Kakko, Kravtsov, and Chytil.

Again, Andersson hasn’t tarnished his projections just yet, but all three of those guys in front of him have been drafted since he walked on stage at The United Center in Chicago as the seventh overall selection in 2017. So the focus isn’t particularly on him as much as it was two seasons ago at this time.

All of Blueshirts Nation wants to see the pick they thought they were getting at the 2017 Draft work out for the team. Let’s see if this kid can bring a chip on his shoulder when the Rangers open camp in September. Andersson needs to maximize his opportunities as soon as possible because he may not have as many chances to show what he can do.

What do you think? Let us know in the comments section below, or on social media.