Prospect Info: 2017 NHL Draft / Pick #7 - Lias Andersson (C)

[Kovalev27]

You never draft based on immediate need. Never it’s a terrible strategy.

And it’s not being bias. It’s calling a spade a spade. Not one expert nor anyone I know HERE projects Lias as a first line talent. If you think otherwise say so don’t say I’m being bias I’d like to hear the reasons you see that would say otherwise.

We are talking about this today still because brooks came out with an article discussing this very issue. We drafted for need instead of skill and it backfired because we didn’t fill the immediate need nor did we get the bpa.

We’ve spent years watching a team without game breaking talent we have a shot to draft someone with that ability in the top 10 and we don’t do it. Some of the same people crying about our lack of high end talent are the same people happy with this pick and that is what confuses me the most.

 

[haveandare]

Could you imagine if the Rangers traded up to 2nd and drafted Patrick? Imagine the absolute *****-fest that would still be happening. I mean my God, you would think Andersson had put up 1 point all season and had gained 20 lbs mid-season by eating in every Nathan's hot dog eating competition known to man.

Also a great point. He was supposed to be an "elite talent" and he's barely, barely an NHL player this year. I still can't believe Philly kept him up all this time.

 

[Ori]

He is not alone, there are many Rangers fans who did not like the #7 pick last summer, but Gorton decided to trust in Lias. I think I mention this before - it should be a Jeff G. topic though. Because what I`ve seen of Lias earlier this year - he looks like NHL ready for me in a top 9 role.

 

[Edge]

The problem with Andersson is not Andersson as a player. He by all means is and will be a good player. The problem is the selection at 7. For a franchise devoid of any elite talent that rarely picks in the top 10 to take a safe player to fill an immediate need instead of going for high end talent is the problem.

Does anyone here project Lias as a first line player? If so I’d like to hear that argument. This team desperately needs first line talent. We did not pick a kid 7th overall that could be that kind of player and there in lies the frustration. Couple that with the fact that the kid was not nearly close to nhl ready as projected and it makes it even tougher to swallow.

Now if someone that has seen Lias play and almost everyone has here can tell me they think he has first line center written on him as even a projection! Well then I’d be really shocked.

Now ask me who here doesn’t see Mittlestadt as a projected first line player?

I think Mittelstadt has first line potential, yes. I also think he has higher bust odds than Andersson.

I think Andersson’s odds of being a first liner are less than Mittelstadt. I also think his odds of being a productive NHLer are better.

Personally, I think both guys greatest odds are to become second line players - though different players.

So, as I’ve repeatedly done in the past, I wonder just how much difference there will be.

I can easily envision Mittelstadt being a 25 goal, 65 point Center.

I can also easily envision Andersson being a 2o goal, 55 point Center.

So I envision Mittelstadt scoring more points in any given year. But I wonder how much those 10 points are worth when I look at what Andersson brings in defense, awareness, positioning and the ability to play in every and all situations, at all three forward positions.

And when I get to that point, even if the difference still favors Mittelstadt, which it very well could, I don’t know if it’s enough for me to lose sleep over.

Why? Because in that scenario, I still have a damn good player who helps me win games.

 

[Amazing Kreiderman]

I think Andersson has a good shot at being a better version of Stepan. That's a 1st line center. Nothing is certain but this whole narrative that Andersson is nothing more than a 3rd line center in the future is ridiculous.

The reason the casual fan doesn't like Andersson being picked at 7 is because on the broadcast, and later on all over the internet, Pierre McGuire compared Andersson to Jesper Fast and Oscar Lindberg.

 

[haveandare]

You never draft based on immediate need. Never it’s a terrible strategy.

And it’s not being bias. It’s calling a spade a spade. Not one expert nor anyone I know HERE projects Lias as a first line talent. If you think otherwise say so don’t say I’m being bias I’d like to hear the reasons you see that would say otherwise.

We are talking about this today still because brooks came out with an article discussing this very issue. We drafted for need instead of skill and it backfired because we didn’t fill the immediate need nor did we get the bpa.

We’ve spent years watching a team without game breaking talent we have a shot to draft someone with that ability in the top 10 and we don’t do it. Some of the same people crying about our lack of high end talent are the same people happy with this pick and that is what confuses me the most.

Do you think Chytil projects as a first line talent?

If Lias goes ppg in the AHL for the amount of time Chytil has will you think that he does too?

 

[Kovalev27]

He is not alone, there are many Rangers fans who did not like the #7 pick last summer, but Gorton decided to trust in Lias. I think I mention this before - it should be a Jeff G. topic though. Because what I`ve seen of Lias earlier this year - he looks like NHL ready for me in a top 9 role.

This is a fair point. Prob should be a conversation about management not the player himself who had a very good game today he can build on.

 

[UnSandvich]

You never draft based on immediate need. Never it’s a terrible strategy.

And it’s not being bias. It’s calling a spade a spade. Not one expert nor anyone I know HERE projects Lias as a first line talent. If you think otherwise say so don’t say I’m being bias I’d like to hear the reasons you see that would say otherwise.

We are talking about this today still because brooks came out with an article discussing this very issue. We drafted for need instead of skill and it backfired because we didn’t fill the immediate need nor did we get the bpa.

We’ve spent years watching a team without game breaking talent we have a shot to draft someone with that ability in the top 10 and we don’t do it. Some of the same people crying about our lack of high end talent are the same people happy with this pick and that is what confuses me the most.

I project Andersson as a 1st line level talent, because he's got an NHL-level shot, hockey IQ and net-front presence, as well as a very good defensive game for a 19 year old. His only "issues" are his size and skating, both of which are being vastly overblown by people here with an agenda to push. Does that violate your narrative, because I disagree with you?

 

[Kovalev27]

Do you think Chytil projects as a first line talent?

If Lias goes ppg in the AHL for the amount of time Chytil has will you think think he does too?

First off he’s almost a full year younger. Chytil is way faster he’s bigger stronger way more skilled elite hands more creative. I don’t even care about the points right now.

I’d be very impressed if Andersson did this as I mentioned I was impressed during the wjcs.

But it doesn’t change the fact he doesn’t do anything or possess any elite ability.

Personally I project chytil as a 2C and Andersson as a 3C or a 2W and that’s if he figures out how to skate.

I think both will be good powerplay guys and I do think Lias will be a good player for us.

 

[NYR Viper]

This is a fair point. Prob should be a conversation about management not the player himself who had a very good game today he can build on.

I think what you're asking for is for the team to take the most skilled player available every draft. That's fine and it's a philosophical debate. In saying that, there's a lot more to winning games than just skill. It's like Drouin vs ROR. Or Seguin vs Benn.

 

[Edge]

Lias has had a very good season and is consistently showing up in the top prospect lists around the sport.

Again, let’s not try to backhand compliment him by casually saying he had a good game and that now he can build on it.

The kids been building on one thing after another for 4 months now.

 

[NYR Viper]

First off he’s almost a full year younger. Chytil is way faster he’s bigger stronger way more skilled elite hands more creative. I don’t even care about the points right now.

I’d be very impressed if Andersson did this as I mentioned I was impressed during the wjcs.

But it doesn’t change the fact he doesn’t do anything or possess any elite ability.

Personally I project chytil as a 2C and Andersson as a 3C or a 2W and that’s if he figures out how to skate.

I think both will be good powerplay guys and I do think Lias will be a good player for us.

Lias is keeping up just fine at the AHL level the year after being drafted. 5 points in 6 games after coming back from shoulder surgery. It was said after he was drafted that Andersson needs to work on his first step-quickness, in saying that, he is rarely denied when in the corner battling for the puck. Chytil also has things to work on. They're 18 and 19 years old.

 

[nyr__1994]

You never draft based on immediate need. Never it’s a terrible strategy.

And it’s not being bias. It’s calling a spade a spade. Not one expert nor anyone I know HERE projects Lias as a first line talent. If you think otherwise say so don’t say I’m being bias I’d like to hear the reasons you see that would say otherwise.

We are talking about this today still because brooks came out with an article discussing this very issue. We drafted for need instead of skill and it backfired because we didn’t fill the immediate need nor did we get the bpa.

We’ve spent years watching a team without game breaking talent we have a shot to draft someone with that ability in the top 10 and we don’t do it. Some of the same people crying about our lack of high end talent are the same people happy with this pick and that is what confuses me the most.

Please answer these questions with your opinion, not some 'expert'. Maybe it will help a lot of us understand where you are coming from:

What is Lias's ceiling and his odds of reaching that ceiling?
What is Lias's Floor and is odds of only reaching that or busting out and not becoming an NHL player?

And then the same questions for Middlestadt.

 

[FireGerardGallant]

If this was almost any other fanbase they would be happy with lias but all we do is b**** and complain about him and compare him to another player

 

[Kovalev27]

I project Andersson as a 1st line level talent, because he's got an NHL-level shot, hockey IQ and net-front presence, as well as a very good defensive game for a 19 year old. His only "issues" are his size and skating, both of which are being vastly overblown by people here with an agenda to push. Does that violate your narrative, because I disagree with you?

Well considering I along with edge are the only ones not being nasty here for voicing differing opinions to the contrary no doesn’t violate anything.

I do think you’re completely wrong. Having an nhl level shot not elite just nhl level and being a solid net front presence does not translate to first line talent especially when you don’t skate all that well and you’re 5’11.

 

[haveandare]

First off he’s almost a full year younger. Chytil is way faster he’s bigger stronger way more skilled elite hands more creative. I don’t even care about the points right now.

I’d be very impressed if Andersson did this as I mentioned I was impressed during the wjcs.

But it doesn’t change the fact he doesn’t do anything or possess any elite ability.

Personally I project chytil as a 2C and Andersson as a 3C or a 2W and that’s if he figures out how to skate.

I think both will be good powerplay guys and I do think Lias will be a good player for us.

If those qualities don't convert into points they're good for almost nothing. "He doesn't score but his hands are creativity are elite!" If thats true of any player, they'll score. Scoring in the manifestation of those types of skills.

You're literally saying if he goes PPG in the AHL in his post draft year it won't change the fact that he "doesn't do anything." That's doing something. If you're saying him doing something won't change the fact that he doesn't do anything, it should be pretty clear you're not giving a player a fair shake.

 

[silverfish]

Loving the tone shift in this thread between early this morning and the end of the Wolf Pack game today.

 

[NYR Viper]

It is possible that both Mittlestadt AND Andersson will be good players.

 

[Kovalev27]

Please answer these questions with your opinion, not some 'expert'. Maybe it will help a lot of us understand where you are coming from:

What is Lias's ceiling and his odds of reaching that ceiling?
What is Lias's Floor and is odds of only reaching that or busting out and not becoming an NHL player?

And then the same questions for Middlestadt.

I’ve already done that multiple times go back and read the thread please

 

[Amazing Kreiderman]

First off he’s almost a full year younger. Chytil is way faster he’s bigger stronger way more skilled elite hands more creative. I don’t even care about the points right now.

I’d be very impressed if Andersson did this as I mentioned I was impressed during the wjcs.

But it doesn’t change the fact he doesn’t do anything or possess any elite ability.

Personally I project chytil as a 2C and Andersson as a 3C or a 2W and that’s if he figures out how to skate.

I think both will be good powerplay guys and I do think Lias will be a good player for us.

Alright, man. Whatever you say. He has no elite ability according to you. I feel you just look at flashy players and in your opinion, those are better. But when it comes to drafting, it is about so much more than that.

 

[haveandare]

It is possible that both Mittlestadt AND Andersson will be good players.

Dare I say it's even likely!

 

[Edge]

Mittelstadt is a great prospect.

Andersson is also a great prospect, but different.

But food for thought -

If Andersson is consistently appearing in top prospect lists, why does it even matter if people weren’t projecting him to go 7th half a year ago?

Clearly he is a top prospect and people recognize it.

So, even if I play devil’s advocate and say he was a reach at 7.

Even if I agree he doesn’t have the highest offensive ceiling.

Even if I agree that the stats don’t matter.

Even if nothing he does is elite.

Clearly, CLEARLY he is widely viewed as a top prospect around the sport.

So what, and I mean WHAT in the hell are we complaining about?

 

[Hunter Gathers]

It is possible that both Mittlestadt AND Andersson will be good players.

Only one can survive.

 

[FireGerardGallant]

Mittelstadt is a great prospect.

Andersson is also a great prospect, but different.

But food for thought -

If Andersson is consistently appearing in top prospect lists, why does it even matter if people weren’t projecting him to go 7th half a year ago?

Clearly he is a top prospect and people recognize it.

So, even if I play devil’s advocate and say he was a reach at 7.

Even if I agree he doesn’t have the highest offensive ceiling.

Even if I agree that the stats don’t matter.

Even if nothing he does is elite.

Clearly, CLEARLY he is widely viewed as a top prospect around the sport.

So what, and I mean WHAT in the hell are we complaining about?

That he doesn't do crazy dangles

 

[Edge]

Loving the tone shift in this thread between early this morning and the end of the Wolf Pack game today.

Loving the fact that nothing short of walking on water is ever going to even get more than a passing acknowledgement from those who wanted someone else.