Lias Andersson

June 2024 – Lias Andersson has signed in Europe, likely ending the former seventh overall pick’s time in the NHL. Aaron Itovitch

July 2023 – Andersson joined his third NHL franchise a few days ago, signing a one-year, two-way deal with the Montreal Canadiens. Drafted seventh overall in 2017 by Jeff Gorton and Nick Bobrov, there is no team that should be more confident in unlocking Andersson’s upside than the Habs. Unfortunately, Andersson is only a few months away from being 25, and will likely be a career AHLer (or SHLer) if he can’t crack the NHL full-time this season. The Kings were patient, but after three years of disappointment, they had enough. Aaron Itovitch

May 2023 – Andersson produced career highs in most offensive categories and led the Ontario Reign with 31 goals in 2022-23. While the breakthrough might be too late for Andersson to realize his original offensive potential, the fact he turns 25 this fall gets lost in the fray often. In each season since coming to North America, Andersson has spent time in the AHL and the NHL throughout the course of a season, which has arguably hurt his development as he has lacked any flow or consistency in honing his skills. His stint with the Reign this season sets him up to compete for a full-time spot on the Kings roster in the fall, where he could see a wide array of roles. He is best suited for a middle-six offensive role on the wing, however, he could find himself in the bottom-six trying to generate offence from below the main threats in the lineup. If you have held onto him thus far, you could be rewarded for your patience in deeper dynasty and keeper formats with a solid offensive producer. Sean Crocker

October 2020 – On the second day of the 2020 NHL Entry Draft, the Rangers traded Lias Andersson to the Los Angeles Kings for the 60th overall selection. With that pick, the Rangers chose Will Cuylle. Andersson is currently playing at a point per game pace in the SHL with HV71 and expected to continue playing overseas for the remainder of the season. Brayden Olafson

July 2020 – Despite the Rangers’ reported offer to Lias Andersson of an opportunity to return to the organization for Phase III of the NHL’s return-to-play program, the former top-ten selection will be remaining in Sweden for the remainder of the season. After yet another means of confirmation that Andersson’s relationship with the Rangers is fractured, it remains more likely that his return to North America will be under the umbrella of a new organization. Brayden Olafson

January 2020 – The 2017 first-round draft twin of Filip Chytil has had a series of up’s and down’s with the Rangers through the years since being selected seventh overall. Unfortunately for him, the downs have been much deeper than the up’s have been high. His stature within the Ranger’s system hit and all-time low at the end of 2019 as the 21-year-old requested to be traded from the team. Unfortunately, the team hasn’t been able to offer him an optimal role for development since his arrival from Sweden. Their affiliate in Hartford has struggled until recently, and he simply isn’t cut out to center a top-six line in the NHL yet. For now, Andersson has opted to sit out of hockey within the organization, citing his trade demand as well as what has been called a mental-health break. His hiatus certainly doesn’t help his fantasy value, but Andersson still has the potential to become a reliable NHL player someday – it just probably won’t be in Manhattan. Brayden Olafson

March 2019 – Despite struggling to find his groove in the NHL, the Rangers have remained positive in Andersson’s development. While Andersson may never be a perfect fit on the teams top line, a middle-six type of two way forward should not be considered a disappointment. At 20-years-old, a breakout in production shouldn’t be ruled out, but it’s beginning to look like the team will be content in allowing him to develop into a less dynamic forward than fans and owners might have hoped for from the seventh-overall pick. Brayden Olafson

October 2018 – The Rangers’ top draft selection from a year ago was widely considered a lock to make the Rangers’ opening night roster this fall. With the emergence of Brett Howden, and a sub-standard preseason audition from Andersson, the team opted to demote him to the Wolfpack for further development. While the team was content with allowing Howden to continue his development as a middle-six forward in a lesser role with the Rangers, Andersson will likely benefit from the greater opportunity he’ll receive in Hartford. His offensive ceiling remains high, and allowing him to develop his confidence and creativity in a top-six role with the Wolfpack should make him more prepared to take on that type of a role with the Rangers as soon as mid-season. Five games into his sophomore AHL campaign, Andersson is producing consistently at better than a point per game pace. Brayden Olafson

June 2018 – Anderson’s draft+1 season was packed full of a broad array of competition, varying from several international competitions to the Swedish Hockey League, the American Hockey League, and Finally a seven-game stint with the Rangers to put a bow on it all. Anderson made headlines in January after captaining the Swede’s World Junior squad to a silver medal in Buffalo, NY. He led the team in goals with six throughout the seven-game tournament, but was heavily criticized for his passionate gesture of removing his silver medal and tossing it into the crowd after the presentation. The Rangers’ stood by one of their top prospects and praised him for his desire to win, as did many others. After his extensive year, Anderson will be in a good position to challenge for the Ranger’s third-line center position in the fall, however he will be up against worthy competition. If he fails to make the cut out of camp, he will be returned to Rochester, but likely receive a call-up at some point through the campaign. In a rising pool of prospects he could be one of the first to make an impact in the NHL. Brayden Olafson

March 2017 – Lias Andersson is a versatile forward. He has a mature frame, can play a variety of forward positions in a variety of situations. Andersson uses his size and strength to protect the puck and win puck battles at both ends of the ice. He brings energy and compete to every shift and has above average offensive upside as well. He has dominated offensively against his age group, produced offensively at international tournaments and is scoring about half a point per game pace against men in pro hockey in the SHL in his draft year. Andersson may lack the offensive ceiling as many other first round picks, but his NHL certainty is very high, and his contribution in multi-cat leagues will be higher. Peter Harling