Confirmed with Link: Lias Andersson asks for trade. No longer with NYR.

[FIRE DRURY]

Steve Paulus wrote this about a month ago on blueline station: The last word on Lias Andersson from David Quinn

Again, he was questioned about Andersson’s deployment and was asked why the Swede never had an opportunity to play in the top nine in an effort to spark his play. Quinn’s answer was simple, “I don’t wanna take one guy out whom I think should be playing, and it’s not just a small sample, the guys build trust, they build a bank account when they make good plays so, we certainly thought about that, but we didn’t do it.”

That is consistent with Quinn’s coaching style. He tends to stick with his line combinations in games and players are demoted only when they screw up. It’s quite a departure from the style of Alain Vigneault who never hesitated to shake up line combinations when things weren’t going right. Still, a top six player banished to the Quinn Bin could have been an opportunity for Andersson and it never seemed to happen.
His answer also begs the question as to why Andersson never got moved up even when the Rangers were playing horribly as in the Tampa game. I’ve raised that issue before, going into the third period trailing 8-1 is the perfect time to shake things up and it never happened.
Quinn was asked if Andersson had a future on the wing since there appear to be four centers on the team ahead of him (Mika ZIbanejad, Filip Chytil, Ryan Strome, Brett Howden) no matter how well he does in Hartford. He conceded that was a possiblity, “I think if he plays well, I think there’s an opportunity…I think everything’s on the table for him. If he goes down there and plays well, and we bring him up, maybe we do put him on the wing. But at his age, I still want to give him a fair opportunity in the middle.”
An assessment

If Lias Andersson goes to Hartford and does as well as Filip Chytil, we could see him back in New York. But if he comes back to the Rangers and is a fourth line wing or center, getting fewer then ten minutes per game, the fear has to be that it will a repeat of what has been happening for two years.

When Quinn was asked about Brett Howden, another young center who has been struggling, his answer was very different. “I think Howds (Howden) s getting better and better. I liked his game the other night. One of the things, again, for a young player, (is) consistency, playing on the right side of the puck… when he does that he’s an effective player. I think he’s doing that more and more.”

If you compare Andersson and Howden statistically, they are not that different. Andersson actually has a better faceoff winning percentage, has more hits and more takeaways, while playing an average of six minutes less per game than Howden. And Howden is playing with Kaapo Kakko and Brendan Lemieux. Offensively, Howden has two goals and two assists and has only one assist in his last ten games and is minus four in that span.

In the last two games, when the Blueshirts allowed seven power play goals, guess which Ranger forward had the most time on the penalty kill? Nope, it wasn’t Lias Andersson, it was Brett Howden. As a matter of fact, after the Tampa debacle, Andersson didn’t play at all on the penalty kill against Florida and Howden played 64% of the time the Blueshirts were shorthanded.

Quinn has thrown down the gauntlet. He has challenged Andersson to go to Hartford and play his way back to New York. That’s all well and good, but if past history is to be believed, it won’t mean a thing. In fact, what Andersson may be doing if he excels with the Wolf Pack is improving his trade value. All indications are that it may be in his best interests to do exactly that.

 

[Hi ImHFNYR]

I didn't really say what i think of Lias. He sucks. He really sucks. He has almost no talent. He has almost no ability. His skating is atrocious.

He has work ethic and leadership...oh wait...I THOUGHT he did. Apparently he doesn't. He improved a little, just like almost every other young player improves. He spent a quarter of the season not improving further. He didn't specialize in anything defensively, he provided nothing offensively. Even the die hard fans who WANTED him promoted had no idea what he does well.

I thought that he'd force the issue with Quinn by busting his ass, being a good leader in the locker room and then asking to be given a shot for at least a game or two.

He damn sure didn't bust his ass, I haven't heard anything about his leadership at any point since he got here. For all we know he was shit talking Quinn to other young guys and helped Kravtsov decide to flee to Russia which would not shock me at all.

We have no idea if he ever even asked for a shot at a higher line. Maybe he was asked to become more consistent at something and failed to do so everytime? A player like Lias should be playing like Cally. Low on talent? Fine. bust your ass 150% every shift. Finish checks, get in passing lanes, be a complete pest. Be vocal on and off the ice, pick up the team, possess the puck, fight for every inch along the boards. This guy was a putrid pushover everywhere he went out there instead.

How many hits did Lias have this year? 20.

Cally had over 200 in his second season with the team. Cally wasn't even laying guys out, he was just finishing checks, anticipating the plays and having an effect on something, anything at all. Lias had 20 in 17 games.

He's not physical, he's not skilled, he's slow as turtle shit. His shot never beats a goalie. He's useless and instead of working his ass off throughout his ELC he quits. he's a quitter.

"Waaaah trade me."

They tried you stupid, idiot doofus, you just suck so hard that no one else WANTED you. You should be embarassed Mr. 'leader'. You should be doing squats, deadlifts and core work till you can't walk. Sprint drills, agility drills, power skating. Anything and everything as much as possible to get better. instead you went home and demanded to be traded like you're actually worth more than a dogs shit?

I liked him throwing away that medal, I liked the IDEA of not settling for being a loser.

Unfortunately he has decided that, since it's going to require a lot of effort and sacrifice, he will actually just settle for being a loser. He should have held that medal bc it's the last thing he'll probably ever earn. Hopefully he takes some pride in himself at some point, feels a little bit of shame, comes back and busts his ass on and off the ice.

 

[CaptTennille]

Good post. You make good points. Personally I look at the way JT Miller handled something very similar, and have to ultimately put a lot of blame on Lias. The organization isn’t immune from criticism here to be sure. But to think AHL time is a non starter in year 2 of your ELC is not a good look.

Honestly, that's the thing is hardest for me to wrap my head around.

The optics of the "stunt" Lias and his agent just pulled seem incredibly harmful to his own value and are incredibly spiteful. You have to wonder what piece of information the fanbase isn't privy to that lead to it getting to this point.

Lias can be as delusional as we want to paint him, but he knows he isn't getting traded to a different organization and walking onto their big club. I would imagine this stems from the almost instant buyers remorse NYR have displayed since drafting him, and the perception that no matter what he does, he will not be able to escape NYR's plans or perception of him.

Painting the Lias and Kravtsov situations as impulsive seems disingenuous.

Is it immature? Yes, but for the players, I would bet these decisions were wrestled over quite a bit.

 

[Star Ocean]

Carp also mentioned how it seems like kids all expect to go right to the NHL these days and the
AHL is like this horrible thing to them. No time to develop them elsewhere. Kids thinking they’re too good for the AHL

AHL means riding the bus across america and less salary than SHL.

 

[cwede]

Steve Paulus wrote this about a month ago on blueline station: The last word on Lias Andersson from David Quinn

thanks, i get all that, and i recall those quotes

but i do also believe Quin and his staff had more responsibility to particularly invest in Lias
and 'throw him in the deep end" of icetime at meaningful moments, and work proactively with him,
as they did w both Howden and Hajek, neither of whom been consistently good either
as he would have with an underperforming player at BU

i am not putting all the blame on the staff,
Lias hadn't earned special consideration, but maybe might have with different opportunity

and his demotion was certainly warranted,
and this quitting and walking away was really really poor judgement

 

[Deleted member 23124]

1. Not this season, not last season. This year that was Strome from day one, with Howden at 3C.
2. Namestnikov was only here for 2 games, so it couldn't have been a good number. He has played almost exclusively at even strength with McKegg, Smith, and Haley, with some Lemieux and Fast thrown in.

My mistake then....apologies.

 

[Deleted member 23124]

I do not recall that happening this season. I believe he played with Lemmy a bit at the end of last season and looked good together. I could be wrong. He definitely wasn’t given a shot at 2C this season.

Thanks for the clarification.

 

[nyr2k2]

My mistake then....apologies.

No worries. I can never remember shit. I only remember this because it really pissed me off. And even then I had to go and check the line combos percentages just to make sure.

 

[nyr2k2]

I didn't really say what i think of Lias. He sucks. He really sucks. He has almost no talent. He has almost no ability. His skating is atrocious.

Eh, this is quite a stretch. Particularly the bit about "almost no talent". Look at a guy like Malte Stromwall, who was basically an ECHL-level player here. He goes home and tears up Liiga and now is tearing up the KHL. Malte Stromwall has a TON of talent; he also has some limitations that make it so that his talents only play up in a slower environment with more space and less physicality. He's not some no-talent hack, as bad as he was here. And Lias Andersson is considerably better than him. If Lias goes back to Europe and never returns, I would bet the farm he has a long, distinguished career there. His skating is the biggest deficiency in his game, and it's not as much of an issue on the other side of the pond. But to say he has almost no talent? That's pure hyperbole. Remember that when he first debuted in the AHL he was very good, and his first stint in the AHL last year he was also very good--11 points in his first 12 games.

He apparently has a shitty attitude and it might torpedo his career in North America. But this narrative I've seen a few people spin that he just has no talent, no skill? It's fiction. His production in the SHL (IMO, third-best league in the world) was good, and excellent for a teenager. His production his first two AHL stints was also very good for a teenager. That he was never able to translate what made him successful in the SHL and AHL to the NHL doesn't mean he's this dogshit player who belongs in a men's league somewhere. He may yet find NHL success in some form; if he doesn't, though, it's not because he's talent-less.

 

[romba]

I am curious why Lias' AHL production this season was so low. Who is to blame for that?

His lack of top 6 ice times in the NhLs of course.

I get that argument to an extent, but c'mon...

 

[FIRE DRURY]

His lack of top 6 ice times in the NhLs of course.

I get that argument to an extent, but c'mon...

Lias was finished as a Ranger when he got sent back down again. You could see it in his game.

 

[haveandare]

I don't think anyone is blameless in this situation.

Andersson is being petulant, short-sighted and overestimating his own abilities, but when it comes out that your GM is trying to flip you to EDM, and your coach refuses to give you a look on anything other than the 4th line while your "competition" struggles in the same role, but frequently gets put in positions to help boost their play - frankly, it can be demoralizing.

He obviously never tore up the AHL but he had acquitted himself just fine there the previous two years when he himself was younger and the teams themselves were WAY worse. Rightly or wrongly, the the organization had him pegged lower than he thought and he believes they had a cap on his ceiling. So when your coach seemingly doesn't believe in you. Your GM and the organization clearly don't believe in you, what is the incentive to succeed just to end up in the same situation with the big club where the goalposts are different for you than everyone else?

Again, Lias has handled this in the WORST way possible and I find it hard to believe him and his agent couldn't have had a sit down with Jeff to try and work something out, whether that meant here or elsewhere, privately - but on the heels of the Kravtsov situation the trend is slightly concerning.

I'm disappointed in Lias and think he handled this in an extremely immature fashion, but anyway you slice it he was mismanaged.

Imo part of why they didn’t and don’t believe in him is the way he reacted to going down. Short of some serious personal vendetta which there’s not much evidence for, the organization and Quinn specifically can point, rightly, to the fact that he’s not doing well in the AHL to justify his treatment.

Almost no matter what he wanted, going to Hartford and caring and playing well would have facilitated it. If he wanted to get moved and told them, a guy playing well in the A is a more attractive asset and easier to move. If he wanted Howden’s minutes, tearing up the A while Howden struggles in the NHL would have absolutely made that happen at some point.

I think he got short changed to a degree but I also think he gave everyone a perfect and very reasonable explanation for it by mailing it in while in Hartford and not proving that he deserves more.

 

[free0717]

I am really disappointed with Lias' behavior. I always thought he was a hard worker with a good attitude. His last two games of last season he was terrific. I thought would be a real good third line center. Do not know why he wouldn't follow the same plan as Fillip Chytil. So.disappointed

 

[dshea19]

I think at this point I would try to work out a deal for Lias to play in Sweden and get his game back. Maybe in that time things can cool down and relationships can be repaired. If relationships can't be repaired, maybe he can increase his value through his play, which only helps him get to a better team. Doing anything to tank his value only hurts him.

 

[Hi ImHFNYR]

Eh, this is quite a stretch. Particularly the bit about "almost no talent". Look at a guy like Malte Stromwall, who was basically an ECHL-level player here. He goes home and tears up Liiga and now is tearing up the KHL. Malte Stromwall has a TON of talent; he also has some limitations that make it so that his talents only play up in a slower environment with more space and less physicality. He's not some no-talent hack, as bad as he was here. And Lias Andersson is considerably better than him. If Lias goes back to Europe and never returns, I would bet the farm he has a long, distinguished career there. His skating is the biggest deficiency in his game, and it's not as much of an issue on the other side of the pond. But to say he has almost no talent? That's pure hyperbole. Remember that when he first debuted in the AHL he was very good, and his first stint in the AHL last year he was also very good--11 points in his first 12 games.

He apparently has a ****ty attitude and it might torpedo his career in North America. But this narrative I've seen a few people spin that he just has no talent, no skill? It's fiction. His production in the SHL (IMO, third-best league in the world) was good, and excellent for a teenager. His production his first two AHL stints was also very good for a teenager. That he was never able to translate what made him successful in the SHL and AHL to the NHL doesn't mean he's this dog**** player who belongs in a men's league somewhere. He may yet find NHL success in some form; if he doesn't, though, it's not because he's talent-less.

Almost no NHL level talent. Talentwise he's just fine for an inferior league. Obviously he has literal talent to produce in minor leagues, I wasn't being literal.

 

[DekeR]

I'm looking at a player that brought nothing to the table that warranted anything other than a bottom 6 player. That in itself is a problem since he was drafted so high. Now I'm looking at a character issue; a player that quit his team and possibly his future as a professional hockey player. Good luck son on your future.

 

[Edge]

Jesus, some of these posts almost venture into self-parody.

 

[nyr2k2]

Almost no NHL level talent. Talentwise he's just fine for an inferior league. Obviously he has literal talent to produce in minor leagues, I wasn't being literal.

When you're so over-the-top, it's kind of hard to tell.

But even then--you can have a bunch of NHL-level skills and NHL-level talent, but if something is so awful--like skating--you can still fail to be an NHL player. I mean if Alexander Ovechkin's skating was "atrocious" he'd probably have gone back to the KHL 15 years ago, because he'd just be a guy who had a great shot and jumped into every check. Ya know? Rocco Grimaldi has always has NHL skills and talent, but he didn't know how to succeed within his frame. He's figuring it out now. This is not to suggest Lias will figure it out--just to suggest that maybe his skills are NHL-caliber and it's one atrocious thing holding him back.

Remember that everyone had Andersson in the first round. It's not like the talent wasn't/isn't there. "Most NHL-ready prospect!" The guy has skating issues and apparently has major attitude issues. I don't buy the lack of NHL-level talent argument. If he had Callahan's work-ethic and attitude he'd be a successful 4C right now.

 

[Hunter Gathers]

he’s 21 years old.

. . . and?

 

[Whoot Whoot]

Even so, is a fourth line center an ideal haul for a 7OA? No one had LA below 12 if I recall.

The scouting staff must be to blame a little also. It was obviously a move to take advantage of the Swedish culture here in NY. It was an overreach - it was a mistake.

When you're so over-the-top, it's kind of hard to tell.

But even then--you can have a bunch of NHL-level skills and NHL-level talent, but if something is so awful--like skating--you can still fail to be an NHL player. I mean if Alexander Ovechkin's skating was "atrocious" he'd probably have gone back to the KHL 15 years ago, because he'd just be a guy who had a great shot and jumped into every check. Ya know? Rocco Grimaldi has always has NHL skills and talent, but he didn't know how to succeed within his frame. He's figuring it out now. This is not to suggest Lias will figure it out--just to suggest that maybe his skills are NHL-caliber and it's one atrocious thing holding him back.

Remember that everyone had Andersson in the first round. It's not like the talent wasn't/isn't there. "Most NHL-ready prospect!" The guy has skating issues and apparently has major attitude issues. I don't buy the lack of NHL-level talent argument. If he had Callahan's work-ethic and attitude he'd be a successful 4C right now.

 

[Hunter Gathers]

Uncle Larry crushing Lias in his latest column

He suggest a potential Tolvanen for Lias swap

He really ethered him.

The young man renowned for his leadership ability more than any singular on-ice skill did not only request a trade out of the organization, a reasonable ask, but also simply picked up and left the AHL Wolf Pack following that appeal.

That’s quite a display of leadership, even for a frustrated 21-year-old, who is now under suspension by the Rangers. You can quibble about the amount of ice time he received and his bottom-six usage through his 66 NHL career games in which he averaged 10:33 per game while posting nine points (three goals, six assists), but you cannot quibble with the nature of Andersson’s unacceptable flight of fancy out of Hartford.

. . .

What do you think the market is for a player who lacks speed and explosiveness, is not particularly creative with the puck, and who walked out on his organization a day after the Dec. 19-27 NHL holiday trade moratorium kicked in?

Sheesh. God damn. And well said, too.

This says to me that someone close to Gorton (or Gorton himself) gave Uncle Larry the go-ahead to demolish the kid in the press. This is a message.

 

[duhmetreE]

If you good need linemates to score, maybe you're not that good. If you need linemates to drive the play, maybe you're not that good. If you need good linemates to defend, maybe you're not that good.

You can't rely on good linemates for everything. I've noticed McKegg flying around the ice in past games. I'm not advocating that he's a good player but he offers something, at the least. What made Lias stand out in pre-season was his effort/relentlessness. When that stopped everything else stopped.

 

[Hunter Gathers]

By the way, I have to admit that I greatly enjoyed reading the newer fans on Blueshirt Banter. Quite possibly some of the dumbest comments I have ever seen regularly come from that blog and the comments on the Lias Andersson situation are no exception to that.

If you want to see what fairweather fans / newer fans / casual fans think, just go read what those people are saying. It's comical.

 

[Deleted member 23124]

He really ethered him.



Sheesh. God damn. And well said, too.

This says to me that someone close to Gorton (or Gorton himself) gave Uncle Larry the go-ahead to demolish the kid in the press. This is a message.

Makes sense. If you recall, the original announcement just said a trade had been requested and that Lias was not with the club. To the point and diplomatic.

 

[Amazing Kreiderman]

I'm looking at a player that brought nothing to the table that warranted anything other than a bottom 6 player. That in itself is a problem since he was drafted so high. Now I'm looking at a character issue; a player that quit his team and possibly his future as a professional hockey player. Good luck son on your future.

Okay, who would you have picked?

Mittelstadt? In the AHL
Vilardi? In the AHL
Tolvanen? Struggling in the AHL
Tippett? In the AHL
Rasmussen? In the AHL

Honestly, the best player drafted after Lias is Chytil but considering how upset Ranger fans were with that "reach" on draft day, I can only imagine the pitchforks being sharpened had we picked him at 7