Player Discussion Lias Andersson: Part II

[Irishguy42]

Tony was the best Ranger on the ice last night.

 

[Inferno]

Nobody seemed to notice but on that drive to the net by Kreider that joe loved so much, Lias opens the lane by picking off the defenseman in front of the net, clearing the path for Kreider. If Kreider scores, Lias doesn't get a point, but it's those kinds of plays that display a real mind for how to catalyze offense and impress me.

It's also why I've been so insistent on withholding judgement on this kid until he plays some meaningful minutes with NHL scoring talent.

Meaningful minutes with high end talent doesn't matter if you're a floater who can't do anything on the boards. Those 2 things are monumentally different right now... He's moving his feet a ton more and he's winning board battles he never has been in the past. He's playing significantly better for sure. Few people are bigger critics of him than I am, but I think it's important to recognize he had these massive holes in his game, and, more importantly, it appears he has worked hard to address them.

 

[TheDirtyH]

Meaningful minutes with high end talent doesn't matter if you're a floater who can't do anything on the boards. Those 2 things are monumentally different right now... He's moving his feet a ton more and he's winning board battles he never has been in the past. He's playing significantly better for sure. Few people are bigger critics of him than I am, but I think it's important to recognize he had these massive holes in his game, and, more importantly, it appears he has worked hard to address them.

Why re-hash this? I don't agree at all with your evaluation of him last year. 'Massive holes' for me were just holes, exacerbated by playing sub 10 mins a game with no PP time and with trash teammates. In one summer Lias mended massive holes in his game? Or Lias improved some weaknesses, such that he can be more impactful even playing paltry minutes? Doesn't really make a difference, but I definitely don't and don't have to agree with your take. And if we see this pre-season differently just as we see the last season differently, so be it. That's as OK as it ever was.

 

[Inferno]

Well however we look at it we can all agree that however he got there...lias looks terrific so far...easily .EASILY the best he's ever looked in an NHL sweater anywhere. Better than traverse City, better than any preseason before.

To me so far he looks like a guy on an upward trajectory towards what his most ardent fans project him to be more than heading towards bustville which is where I feared he was heading to.

I think words alone don't do justice how happy I am to be wrong (so far) with my take on lias.

 

[Brooklyn Rangers Fan]

Well however we look at it we can all agree that however he got there...lias looks terrific so far...easily .EASILY the best he's ever looked in an NHL sweater anywhere. Better than traverse City, better than any preseason before.

To me so far he looks like a guy on an upward trajectory towards what his most ardent fans project him to be more than heading towards bustville which is where I feared he was heading to.

I think words alone don't do justice how happy I am to be wrong (so far) with my take on lias.

Hear, hear.

 

[CTRanger]

He’s about to turn 21 TWENTY ONE!

 

[duhmetreE]

The game is starting to slow down for him... along with working hard in the offseason on skating/conditioning.

 

[Larrybiv]

Meaningful minutes with high end talent doesn't matter if you're a floater who can't do anything on the boards. Those 2 things are monumentally different right now... He's moving his feet a ton more and he's winning board battles he never has been in the past. He's playing significantly better for sure. Few people are bigger critics of him than I am, but I think it's important to recognize he had these massive holes in his game, and, more importantly, it appears he has worked hard to address them.

Yeah, and I have been with you (unknowingly) all the way. He has been MUCH more noticeable, and literally was everywhere and seemingly in on every play. He is starting to make his mark and its those "little things" that gets noticed by people that actually have the power to make it much more important to the teams success moving forward than "we have". Good for him, good for those here that have noticed, and most importantly good for the Rangers,

 

[Hunter Gathers]

Even if you take the goal away he played a great game tonight...kept his feet moving...a whole lot less coasting in his game.


He’s earned the 2c spot imho....raise your hand if you expected me to say that lol.

He looks this year like some of the guys hyping him up far too much said he looked last year. They were a year early on the praise. But he looks like a different player out there.

 

[Larrybiv]

Even if you take the goal away he played a great game tonight...kept his feet moving...a whole lot less coasting in his game.


He’s earned the 2c spot imho....raise your hand if you expected me to say that lol.

Cant raise mine, didnt expect that. Then again, I will say maybe he has earned it "thus far". 2 games doesnt earn anybody anything, imo.
I still believe the Rangers want Chytil to be their #2c, come hell or highwater, basically because of his size and his high end talent. Thing is, Lias really is winning this job by default, (not to say he hasnt played well enough) and one might even go out on the limb and say Strome is suited best for that 2c spot RIGHT NOW, given his experience.

 

[mas0764]

Another point for Lias.

 

[Rongomania]

Another point for Lias.

I know it's only preseason, but he's produced like a 2C would ....

 

[Amazing Kreiderman]

Cant raise mine, didnt expect that. Then again, I will say maybe he has earned it "thus far". 2 games doesnt earn anybody anything, imo.
I still believe the Rangers want Chytil to be their #2c, come hell or highwater, basically because of his size and his high end talent. Thing is, Lias really is winning this job by default, (not to say he hasnt played well enough) and one might even go out on the limb and say Strome is suited best for that 2c spot RIGHT NOW, given his experience.

By this logic, pre season and training camp doesn't mean anything. Why even have players show up then?

 

[Rempe73]

Dude...I know I’m late to the party but Lias was a beast last night. Watching the replay right now. Man am I excited. Hope he keeps it up.

 

[Pizza]

IMHO easily the best news out of Camp is the improvement of Lias Anderson.

As of now, he is easily our 3rd line center.

Think where we would be if that were not the case had he underperformed like Chytil.

If he can keep it up that is a huge whole filled.

 

[CasusBelli]

IMHO easily the best news out of Camp is the improvement of Lias Anderson.

As of now, he is easily our 3rd line center.

Think where we would be if that were not the case had he underperformed like Chytil.

If he can keep it up that is a huge whole filled.

I’d start him at 2C. If he doesn’t continue to perform, demote him, but he deserves that 2C spot — certainly more than FC or Howden does.

 

[Irishguy42]

I’d start him at 2C. If he doesn’t continue to perform, demote him, but he deserves that 2C spot — certainly more than FC or Howden does.

Depending on how Lias' season/Strome trade talks progress, he might find himself in that 2C spot sooner rather than later.

 

[Brooklyn Ranger]

I’d start him at 2C. If he doesn’t continue to perform, demote him, but he deserves that 2C spot — certainly more than FC or Howden does.

I'm fine with starting the season with Andersson centering the 3rd line--no reason to put too much pressure on him early. If he continues to improve, let him get some work centering the 2nd line. There's no real rush.

 

[ohbaby]

Meaningful minutes with high end talent doesn't matter if you're a floater who can't do anything on the boards. Those 2 things are monumentally different right now... He's moving his feet a ton more and he's winning board battles he never has been in the past. He's playing significantly better for sure. Few people are bigger critics of him than I am, but I think it's important to recognize he had these massive holes in his game, and, more importantly, it appears he has worked hard to address them.

I have no recollection of him from last year, because he didn't make the club, and was fairly invisible when called up. So my opinion of him this year, is based on nothing he did last year. I have been critical of him the first few games of camp, wondering what you guys have seen. But his last two games I admit have shown some promise. Seems to have more confidence behind the goal line, and made some plays. And not being afraid to go to the net has benefitted him and the team twice this preseason. His D still doesn't shout out at me, like some of the others, but he has been more noticeable in the neutral and offensive zones. I hope he continues to improve. His work effort has got to be one of his strengths and will need to continue at a high level.

 

[dangsLITE]

I think he is showing what they what they said at the draft - he will be an NHL player.. just a matter of how good

 

[mas0764]

IMHO easily the best news out of Camp is the improvement of Lias Anderson.

As of now, he is easily our 3rd line center.

Think where we would be if that were not the case had he underperformed like Chytil.

If he can keep it up that is a huge whole filled.

Yeah, I'm not so sure Lias isn't our 2C right now.

 

[Edge]

I think with time, and patience, we're starting to see the type of player Andersson was projected to be.

In many ways it feels like some of these kids have been around forever. The downside of that misconception is that it's all too easy to forget that we're talking about very young prospects who would only now be turning pro under most normal circumstances.

 

[Amazing Kreiderman]

I think with time, and patience, we're starting to see the type of player Andersson was projected to be.

In many ways it feels like some of these kids have been around forever. The downside of that misconception is that it's all too easy to forget that we're talking about very young prospects who would only now be turning pro under most normal circumstances.

This is exactly the problem. If Lias played junior hockey in Canada, he would only now make the move to pro hockey. Look at Cody Glass for instance

 

[bbny]

Yeah, I'm not so sure Lias isn't our 2C right now.

I don't neccesarily disagree that he has been our 2nd best center through camp and preseason. I think I'd rather see him at 3C, and let him work up to 2C if he continues to shine in the regular season. Put Srome at 2C, hopefully temporarily, as a guy that can be supplanted. It would be a realistic goal to outperform Ryan Strome, who is a competent 3rd line player himself. Not really a 2nd line player, but that's why you gotta hope it is temporary.

 

[Zats Muccarello]

Lias deserves a shot at the 2C, Chytil will likely start on the wing, Strome 3C and Howden 4C.