Lias Andersson is leaving North America after seven disappointing and fruitless seasons, and he will be performing in Switzerland. The former New York Rangers first-round selection never lived up to the anticipation and only appeared in 110 NHL games.
The 25-year-old forward played the full 2023–24 season in the American Hockey League, where he finished with 21 goals and 45 points in 53 games with Laval, the Montreal Canadiens affiliate. He then signed a two-year contract with EHC Biel-Bienne in the highest professional league in Switzerland.
“Lias Andersson is a versatile forward whose skill set will enhance our offensive capabilities. He can play multiple positions up front and adjust to the demands of both offensive and defensive situations,” stated general manager Martin Steinegger.
Andersson’s departure from North America marks the end of a disappointing stint that began with high expectations when the Rangers drafted him seventh overall in the 2017 NHL Draft. Drafted after him in the first round were forwards Casey Mittelstadt (No. 8, Buffalo Sabres), Martin Necas (No. 12, Carolina Hurricanes), Nick Suzuki (No. 13, Vegas Golden Knights), and Robert Thomas (No. 20, St. Louis Blues).
Despite Andersson’s underwhelming performance, the Rangers did pick Filip Chytil with the No. 21 overall pick in the same draft. Despite several injuries, including a concussion that limited him to just 10 regular-season games this year, Chytil has managed to play 337 games with the Rangers.
Lias Andersson was bust with Rangers
The Rangers had high hopes for Andersson, believing they were acquiring a mature, two-way center with potential leadership qualities, possibly even a future captain. However, Andersson’s tenure proved disappointing. He struggled with maturity issues and did not exhibit the expected level of skill. His frustration with demotions to the Hartford Wolf Pack in the AHL and his inability to make a significant impact in the NHL led to his eventual return to Sweden. In October 2021, he was traded to the Los Angeles Kings.
Andersson was praised as a leader who hates to lose when, in his capacity as Sweden’s captain, he threw his silver medal into the cheering section of the crowd at the 2018 IIHF World Junior Championship, where he also happened to score six goals and seven points in seven games. Looking back, it could have been an indication of his immaturity.
Hugh Jessiman wasn’t quite like Andersson. However, he was one of the Rangers’ poorest first-round selections in recent memory.
Over the course of three seasons with the Blueshirts, he finished with nine points and three goals in 66 games. After 110 NHL games with the Rangers and Kings, he has 17 points (seven goals and ten assists).
It seems like Andersson’s time in the NHL is now done, bringing an end to a chapter that the Rangers would be delighted to forget, even though he could always restart his career abroad and return to the league at some point.