Player Discussion Lias Andersson

[Ola]

Why does EDM suck? Because they haven’t figured out that you have to develop a kid. What is Lias doing right now? Developing.

The dumbest notion in hockey today — AINEC— is that a high pick don’t have to be developed. Look at someone like Zucc. He wasn’t remotely close to being ready when he was 18, had to go to the KHL when he was 25 etc. He is just such a better player now than what he was at 25.

The problem Lias has now is the same I reported about when we drafted him, he gets too stationary on the ice. Needs to add a step in his skating — but also improve his moving pattern a bit. That Holstrom style infront of the net isn’t something he should make a living off, he gets completely stationary there.

Lias is a really solid built kid, he is strong despite just being 20. In 2-3 years time he will — if we keep developing him well and he puts in the extreme work needed — be a guy that is physically really hard to handle, like a Marchand, skates faster and especially has a lot more mobility on the ice, and that has a good shot and really impressive decision making. And few will compete harder than him.

And it doesn’t stop there. It didn’t stop at 24 for Zucc. Nor at 26 or 30 either. I remember writing that about Zucc too when he left to the KHL, I saw him a lot in the SHL, the AHL, early NHL seasons. He just got better and better and better.

That is what building a winner is about. Not just getting a few top kids. It’s to get that dynamic super professional environment and develop these guys, and that way get 20 good enough hockey players, and 2-3 new once every year. It’s not about getting 4-5 guys.

 

[UnSandvich]

Backup goalies have very limited value, especially if they aren't cost-controlled (RFA years)

Oh, for sure haha. Just making sure the full trade details were listed

 

[ManUtdTobbe]

It has been reported that Pettersson was their no 1 target, Cody Glass their no 2

Cale Makar was their top target actually, they really liked Pettersson too but it was Makar they wanted to trade up for.

 

[Amazing Kreiderman]

Cale Makar was their top target actually, they really liked Pettersson too but it was Makar they wanted to trade up for.

Thanks. Doesn't change much. Their possible top-3 targets were picked in the 3 spots before they were on the clock. That's probably not something that happens often

 

[TheDirtyH]

The problem Lias has now is the same I reported about when we drafted him, he gets too stationary on the ice. Needs to add a step in his skating — but also improve his moving pattern a bit. That Holstrom style infront of the net isn’t something he should make a living off, he gets completely stationary there.

Been seeing the same thing. Kreider was the same way for a while early on, and while he developed into one of the best slot presences in the league, it's always been obvious he's most impactful when he's moving and only this season has that consistently happened. It seems part of Lias's personality to take the role he's given and commit to it in the utmost. It's admirable and it's a relevant part of his promise as a player, but it's frustrating to see him neuter himself by deferring to dumps and standing in the slot. It's why everyone's convinced he's slow when he's obviously not at all.

 

[E-Train]

Thanks. Doesn't change much. Their possible top-3 targets were picked in the 3 spots before they were on the clock. That's probably not something that happens often

The tweets were all over the place. McKenzie had them after:

Pettersson
Glass
Andersson
Suzuki

Assumed in that order. I do remember hearing about them trying to trade up with Dallas in the event Patrick fell to #3. There were also rumblings about Makar.

 

[BroadwayStorm]

Why does EDM suck? Because they haven’t figured out that you have to develop a kid. What is Lias doing right now? Developing.

The dumbest notion in hockey today — AINEC— is that a high pick don’t have to be developed. Look at someone like Zucc. He wasn’t remotely close to being ready when he was 18, had to go to the KHL when he was 25 etc. He is just such a better player now than what he was at 25.

The problem Lias has now is the same I reported about when we drafted him, he gets too stationary on the ice. Needs to add a step in his skating — but also improve his moving pattern a bit. That Holstrom style infront of the net isn’t something he should make a living off, he gets completely stationary there.

Lias is a really solid built kid, he is strong despite just being 20. In 2-3 years time he will — if we keep developing him well and he puts in the extreme work needed — be a guy that is physically really hard to handle, like a Marchand, skates faster and especially has a lot more mobility on the ice, and that has a good shot and really impressive decision making. And few will compete harder than him.

And it doesn’t stop there. It didn’t stop at 24 for Zucc. Nor at 26 or 30 either. I remember writing that about Zucc too when he left to the KHL, I saw him a lot in the SHL, the AHL, early NHL seasons. He just got better and better and better.

That is what building a winner is about. Not just getting a few top kids. It’s to get that dynamic super professional environment and develop these guys, and that way get 20 good enough hockey players, and 2-3 new once every year. It’s not about getting 4-5 guys.

Damnit you are always so reasonable. I am a big Andersson dumper based solely on where he was drafted but this comment made me reconsider a lot of things.

 

[Ori]

I think both Chytil & Lias could take some time to develop properly - hopefully Kratsov is more like Elias who can fit in NHL faster - who is a very different player compare to Lias which I could compare to Fast, but with a higher upside based positioning and finishing at least what I saw him in Sweden about a year ago. Lias played with more confident on big ice - the quick pace and small ice can take time to get used to as well, and Lias skating need to improve.

 

[Amazing Kreiderman]

 

[nyr2k2]

I still maintain that Andersson had been doing well in his role and that if someone had to be sent down, it should have been Howden, who was invisible for two months. With Lias then taking his spot. But I won't belabor that point any further.

 

[Amazing Kreiderman]

Lias has been on the team for 29 games now (27 played, 2 scratched). He's 11 games removed from this season counting as an accrued season

 

[Shesterkybomb]

I'm amazed at how little patience some posters have. Let the kid figure this out, there is a reason Sweden picks him as their captain it's not because he can't play hockey. Let it play out

 

[JHS]

Lias has 5 points in 27 games and is a -9. So basically if he were to play 80 games he’d have somewhere around 20 points... not goals... points.

I get that he’s 20 years old, but the guy has been completely invisible and his offensive production is beyond terrible. Patience, I know, but he better start to show something positive this season.

 

[Shesterkybomb]

Rangers fans- WE WANT A REBUILD
2 years later- How come these kids are no good?
Mind boggling.

 

[Amazing Kreiderman]

Lias has 5 points in 27 games and is a -9. So basically if he were to play 80 games he’d have somewhere around 20 points... not goals... points.

I get that he’s 20 years old, but the guy has been completely invisible and his offensive production is beyond terrible. Patience, I know, but he better start to show something positive this season.

Do you also get that he is playing 10 minutes on average this season and mostly with bottom-6 players?

 

[Miamipuck]

Do you also get that he is playing 10 minutes on average this season and mostly with bottom-6 players?

Nah dude he should be a superstar by now.

 

[Fitzy]

Lias has 5 points in 27 games and is a -9. So basically if he were to play 80 games he’d have somewhere around 20 points... not goals... points.

I get that he’s 20 years old, but the guy has been completely invisible and his offensive production is beyond terrible. Patience, I know, but he better start to show something positive this season.

I look to Artem Anisimov's first season and feel a little bit better about it.

 

[GeorgeKaplan]

I think Lias should be getting some powerplay time (he’s historically a good-very good PP producer), but I’m not really worried about his point totals

 

[Crease]

Rangers fans- WE WANT A REBUILD
2 years later- How come these kids are no good?
Mind boggling.

To be fair, they're not being compared to Zuccarello, Stepan, and McDonagh. They're being compared to other kids around the league. Chytil is 15th among 18-20 year olds in scoring. Howden 21st and Andersson is off the board.

If your point is patience -- I agree. Plenty of time for these guys to get better. But it's also fair to say they're not blowing their cohort out of the water.

 

[NYR Viper]

To be fair, they're not being compared to Zuccarello, Stepan, and McDonagh. They're being compared to other kids around the league. Chytil is 15th among 18-20 year olds in scoring. Howden 21st and Andersson is off the board.

If your point is patience -- I agree. Plenty of time for these guys to get better. But it's also fair to say they're not blowing their cohort out of the water.

To be fair as well, these guys aren't exactly getting PP1 and prime offensive time

 

[Idlerlee]

To be fair as well, these guys aren't exactly getting PP1 and prime offensive time

They 100% would if they played better hockey, I assume.

This rebuild is going to take some time.

 

[Glen Sathers Cigar]

Rangers fans- WE WANT A REBUILD
2 years later- How come these kids are no good?
Mind boggling.

What's crazy is it's not even 2 years later yet. We're 1.5 years since Lias/Chytil draft but only a year removed from the letter publicly declaring a rebuild.

I think Lias has looked good in his most recent stint. I think just as an average skater it's taking time for him to get used to the NHL level speed. He'll be fine. I'd like to see him get some shots with more skilled players to maybe coax some creativity out of him and build his confidence instead of him being in the safe, dump it in, grind it out mindset he's been in lately.

 

[Ori]

It just the beginning of a rebuild - Rangers need to hit in the draft.

 

[JHS]

Do you also get that he is playing 10 minutes on average this season and mostly with bottom-6 players?

Right I get it. I’d argue those 10 minutes are about 5 more minutes than he actually has earned to play. He’s being handed an opportunity that many 20 year olds would dream of getting and he’s done nothing with it! He invisible during those 10 minutes and furthermore, he’s a minus 9 in the limited ice time he’s getting!!! He’s done literally nothing to earn more ice time and I’m sure Quinn would reward him with more time if he showed anyrhing( See Mica as evidence of that.). Anyone suggesting Lias should just be handed more time with better players seems to not understand hockey culture very well. Players earn opportunities and are not just given them. Lias needs to show something( if he’s capable of it) or else he will linger in the bottom 6.

 

[JHS]

I look to Artem Anisimov's first season and feel a little bit better about it.

He was drafted 56th overall. Not in the top 10 like Lias. You can’t strike out on top 10 picks( not saying the Rangers definitely have but it’s looking possible.) At this point, if Lias has anywhere near the career Anisimov has had, I’ll be surprised.