The relationship between the Rangers and Lias Andersson can be described as rocky at best, but signs of thawing have existed since Andersson return to Sweden. A possible next step in the further melting of the ice could be the return of Andersson to the US to be part of the team for the playoffs. Hurdles still remain, but as Johan Rylander wrote in his column, contact exists between the two sides, including Andersson's agent, the end result of which could see Andersson back with the squad.
Below are
Rylander's responses to my question asking if the plan now is for Lias to return to the US or has that been decided:
The Rangers, GM Davidson and HQ Quinn, has contacted Lias – the Swedish agent Patrik Aronsson confirms.
They are talking on options – and Lias is under heavy training at the moment. We have a dialogue with Rangers, I can confirm that. But, what is said between us, I will not comment out of respect for everyone involved, agent Aronsson said.
Lias told me: "I don't know what I can say – or can not say ...”
I would say – no smoke without fire.
Andersson played for HV-71 after returning to Sweden and has remained in shape following the end of his team's campaign. At worse, he is at the same place conditioning-wise as some of the teammates, who have been out since the second week of March as well. His readiness, if he does rejoin the team, shouldn't be a question. How his teammates will feel if he does return is another matter altogether, though Andersson left Hartford, not the parent team, to go back to Sweden. In addition, both sides were at fault, so blame can be attributed to each, but Andersson did not do a particularly good job of sharing his issues and concerns, though his lack of communication was somewhat understandable, as I wrote in a prior blog.
If Andersson, selected seventh overall in 2017 and under contract for one more year as part of his ELC, is part of the team, where does he slot in? Optimally, and in line with prior usage, he would be the fourth line center behind Mika Zibanejad, Ryan Strome and Filip Chytil. Brett Howden, who we have seen is better suited to playing wing, Greg McKegg and Steven Fogarty, in the last game prior to the pandemic break, all have seen time as the fourth line center with McKegg the most effective of the three.
I will post a blog on which 28 skaters I think make the team, updating what I wrote about previously. Andersson could most certainly be one of those 28 with a potential role. Even if not active in a game, rejoining the team and his teammates, to help repair that relationship or smooth over any remaining animosity from his departure, along with experiencing playoff hockey would be beneficial for his development. But paths do exist for him to be in the lineup.
Brendan Lemieux's pending suspension might open up a spot for at least one game. The concern over the potential impact of COVID to Kaapo Kakko due to his type-1 diabetes might force him from the lineup. Add in Brendan Smith's placement opposite Jacob Trouba on defense following Brady Skjei's trade to the Hurricanes, and there is one more "opening" that might not have existed previously.
Could we see McKegg-Andersson-Julien Gauthier as a fourth line in the first game against Carolina? Only time will tell. If Andersson comes back to the US, that trio might be an option, depending on several factors.
What's your view?
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