The Turbulent Beginnings Of Lias Andersson

During the 2017 NHL Entry Draft, the New York Rangers surprised many draft analysts by selecting Swedish forward Lias Andersson with the 7th overall pick. 3 years later, Andersson had just 9 points in 66 NHL games, was demoted to the AHL for the third time, had been suspended from the organisation without pay due to leaving the team, was loaned to HV71 of the Swedish Hockey League, before being traded to the Los Angeles Kings during the 2020 draft.

So why didn't things work out for Andersson and the Rangers? Well thanks to an arguably rushed development, a number of struggles both on and off the ice as well as his fair share of personal struggles, there's more to this story than meets the eye...


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[iCoolaxe]

Seattle Stallions legend Lias Andersson.

[smithryansmith]

His performance so far has been unsurprising.
He tossed his career away like it was made of silver.

[jfphotography]

The Rangers scewed this kid big time, he outplayed Howden and was still send down to the AHL, and when he was brought up he was paired with players who should not be playing in the NHL. And regarding his ailments, where was the organizations training staff and medical staff to see that he gets the medical care that he needed, especially if it's your organizations 7th pick in the first round. The Rangers screwed up big time, but everyone knows managment will never blame themselves. I believe them sending him down and keeping the waste Howden up in the bigs was the final straw for the young man.

[FAKEMD]

What a mess.

Just wanted to say your hard work in the videos doesn’t go unnoticed.

[jenniferlachance]

I've been curious about Lias since the WJC in Buffalo and followed him with the NYR. He's full of passion--good, bad, or whatever you want to say. He's young enough to learn and grow. Sometimes I genuinely worry how young the league is getting. It's so pressure packed. I love the speed and gifted moves these players can make, but have always kept that in my thoughts. There's a certain joy that should be had in just playing.
Another more important thought--shortly after Lias was came to America, I heard about an unnamed young prospect who was up all night with a "video game addiction", that was concerning enough that it was affecting his development. People took this and ran with it to speculate on a lot of young players that they thought it might be, lots of jokes where made league wide by fans of every team. I can't imagine with the level of emotions that Lias has, having to hear this and know that it was him. By going home to Sweden, I see him trying to take control and taking very courageous steps to grow.

[bambino]

I'd love to see you chronicle Kadris tenure in Toronto.

[Redlife]

That’s why communication is key in any relationship

[rebeckamills]

I live in his hometowen in sweden. I have a friend that went to his school and he told med that Lias was a bully and beat up people for fun. Attitude problems are probably still there

[juhomantynen]

I looked at the comments of your video on the medal incident and I have to say I'm surprised over 90% of people defended his actions. Most arguments were "he's just a kid" or "that's a winner's mentality" and I just have to disagree. When you look at the best hockey teams in the world and their captains, young or old, when they lose in the playoffs they all lose respectfully and with dignity. Not once have I seen a captain of a losing team in the finals throwing a temper tantrum even if they are extremely emotional and disappointed. Approving of Andersson's actions 3 years ago means you approve the same action for anyone else, which is just stupid. Imagine Jamie Benn throwing a fit after losing to Tampa this year! It's unheardof. In my opinion we should've condemned his actions back then but not be too harsh because of his age. Of course hindsight is 20-20 but given how his career ended up after the Juniors we should've seen the red flags in his mental state. When a player can't accept losing in a sport where 99% of players lose, you can't expect them to be at the top.

[robbobb]

He was also the first Ranger in history to wear #50

[Rindiculousfun]

In the draft it has been rumoured the Rangers most likely traded up in order to draft Elias Pettersson, but when he was taken 5th overall by the Canucks Andersson was likely their second choice. The Rangers were the ones that prevented the Canucks from trading down to 8th overall because they didn’t want Pettersson to get taken from them...which turned out very well for them.

[mrobviousp.o.t.o]

Great video.seriously well done👍 subscribed

[luco]

As a Kings fan, I am hoping he can turn things around. The pressure won't be as bad as it would be in NY. Also Kings have a strong development program and quite a few Swedes on the roster to help him feel at home.

[karlhagglund]

Great Video Oddman! :D I´m sure he will be an regular NHL player for the kings in the near future :)

[beavis]

Rangers wanted to pick a guy some people may know, Elias peterson but the nucks had different plans. so they settled with him. There was a article saying Rangers and the wings had petey first overall. Smh i am sad now.

[seanmacarthur]

Idk if anyone cares but interesting detail about the draft: The canucks were in conversation with many teams about moving down from fifth and the price that would entail. Once the rangers moved up and were rumored to want a swede, the price to fall below the rangers increased massively. Realizing the canucks wanted a swede, vegas didn't feel a need to move up one slot. Vegas selected cody glass while the canucks selected elias pettersson.

[waynehough]

people saying we didn’t give him a fair shot or that we shouldn’t have sent down to Hartford. the thing is when he was sent down he didn’t do much, he put up okay numbers but nothing spectacular. if you compare him to someone like Filip Chytil who we got in the same draft when he was sent down to Hartford at the start of 19/20 season it really spurred him on and he proved that it was a mistake to send him down. I’m glad we’re free of the drama now, I wish Lias well though. hopefully the trade can help kick start his career at this level

[dominickefrim]

I'm not sure if the Kings have a strong player here, but they're all in. His dad works for the Kings so if he's gonna thrive anywhere in N. America, this is his last chance to flip it.

[codypape]

He’s got a lot of spirit teams need that

[noah_that_bills_fan]

Who's your favorite team? I like the Canucks