Jan Levine: Lias Andersson opens up in interview, discusses his issues, future etc. Andersson took positive steps forward back in Sweden

The Rangers have 3 veteran, prominent Swedes on the roster in Hank, Mika and Fast --- all leaders on the team. The fact that this kid couldn't go to any of them for help/assistance speaks volumes to me. He clearly is too immature for the bright lights and big city that NY represents.

I hate to give up on a player that is so young, but some people just can't handle NY. If his problem is truly mental, he needs to stay in Europe or a less pressurized NHL city. I can't envision any scenario that he can walk back into a Wolf Pack or Ranger locker room without problems. Its a shame, but I think we have to cut bait with him and hope he finds success/happiness elsewhere.

PS: Jan thanks for shoutout, but completely unnecessary!

Not to sound heartless but a sleeping tablet now & then, playing too much video games, really? The kid is 21 with money to burn playing the gm he loves. Doesn't sound to horrible a life to me

Who said he didn’t feel comfortable or couldn’t ask for help? Some people internalize everything and hide their issues, they don’t want to show weakness. The kid clearly needs a better support system around him and he’s obviously talented, give it time.

The Rangers have 3 veteran, prominent Swedes on the roster in Hank, Mika and Fast --- all leaders on the team. The fact that this kid couldn't go to any of them for help/assistance speaks volumes to me. He clearly is too immature for the bright lights and big city that NY represents.

I hate to give up on a player that is so young, but some people just can't handle NY. If his problem is truly mental, he needs to stay in Europe or a less pressurized NHL city. I can't envision any scenario that he can walk back into a Wolf Pack or Ranger locker room without problems. Its a shame, but I think we have to cut bait with him and hope he finds success/happiness elsewhere.

PS: Jan thanks for shoutout, but completely unnecessary!
- TommyGTrain

All this is true and he may well be an immature 21 year old. But that doesn't mean he didn't and doesn't suffer from mental illness. Maybe he felt he needed to be a strong athlete and coming forward would admit a weakness. He isn't the first and won't be the last to think that way.

New York is a town town and he may not be ready. But I am not yet to ready to toss him in the refuse pile. That said, may hurdles remain for him to possibly come back to the team.

Tommy, credit is given where credit is due, thanks again for the column link.

He may come back to the NHL one day but it won’t be with the rangers. Just don’t see a way back with how it ended

We just can’t know about his personal journey. He’s a boy, with hockey talent, and he’s having a tough time. That’s all we know. I’m rooting for him. I hope he figures it out. And I hope we get to see him do it.

We just can’t know about his personal journey. He’s a boy, with hockey talent, and he’s having a tough time. That’s all we know. I’m rooting for him. I hope he figures it out. And I hope we get to see him do it.
- Bromancer

For sure, just in his own words with what bothered him didn't seem too extreme. Hope all works out for the kid

SNY showing the first ever Subway Series GM right now. Dave Miliki's claim to fame.

The Rangers have 3 veteran, prominent Swedes on the roster in Hank, Mika and Fast --- all leaders on the team. The fact that this kid couldn't go to any of them for help/assistance speaks volumes to me. He clearly is too immature for the bright lights and big city that NY represents.

I hate to give up on a player that is so young, but some people just can't handle NY. If his problem is truly mental, he needs to stay in Europe or a less pressurized NHL city. I can't envision any scenario that he can walk back into a Wolf Pack or Ranger locker room without problems. Its a shame, but I think we have to cut bait with him and hope he finds success/happiness elsewhere.

PS: Jan thanks for shoutout, but completely unnecessary!
- TommyGTrain

If he comes back and plays hockey well, there will be zero issues with him in the locker room. I didn't see much from him as a hockey player, but mb he puts it all together. There is absolutely no reason to cut bait with him yet, that would be totally premature.

No excuse for immaturity. You all can say he's only 21 but I don't buy it.

He has the potential to be a multi millionaire. When you have that much at stake, you have to go to sleep at night, and put down the controller and turn off the video game.

Package him as fast as possible and rid yourself of this cancer.

No excuses and no sympathy.

You're outburst at the World Juniors was truly indicative of your character and the child you were back then and still are. There are thousands of young hockey players across the world that would love to have the opportunity that your on ice talent has afforded you.

Goodbye Lias. Maybe you'll sleep better at night after a long 12 hour workday in a Swedish factory.

The kid was homesick. He was staying up for when Sweden woke up to talk to friends and family. I get that he left a bad taste in our mouths, and he's going to have to earn back our trust, but cut the kid some slack.

I say give him a second chance. Put him in a 3- or 4-bedroom apartment and get some of his friends or family members over here so he can feel at home and not worry about missing out. Get him a life coach to keep him on track. There are ways of dealing with what he's going through. He has too much potential to just give up on.

Middlestadt for Lias.

Odds are we’ve got a wasted pick here. Worse than Jessiman. Life goes on.

Odds are we’ve got a wasted pick here. Worse than Jessiman. Life goes on.
- Bluey

OUCH

No excuse for immaturity. You all can say he's only 21 but I don't buy it.

He has the potential to be a multi millionaire. When you have that much at stake, you have to go to sleep at night, and put down the controller and turn off the video game.

Package him as fast as possible and rid yourself of this cancer.

No excuses and no sympathy.

You're outburst at the World Juniors was truly indicative of your character and the child you were back then and still are. There are thousands of young hockey players across the world that would love to have the opportunity that your on ice talent has afforded you.

Goodbye Lias. Maybe you'll sleep better at night after a long 12 hour workday in a Swedish factory.
- VinnyP

This Macho take is so silly. You cannot know what is going through his head right now. Im sure you moved to a different country at the age of 21 and were expected to compete in your job against the 0.001% of the people in your field, and you succeeded. He failed and now he is trying again. sometimes you just need to get your peepee slapped to knock some sense into you and refocus yourself.

Plus Im pretty sure he is making an OK living playing for his Swedish team.

No excuse for immaturity. You all can say he's only 21 but I don't buy it.

He has the potential to be a multi millionaire. When you have that much at stake, you have to go to sleep at night, and put down the controller and turn off the video game.

Package him as fast as possible and rid yourself of this cancer.

No excuses and no sympathy.

You're outburst at the World Juniors was truly indicative of your character and the child you were back then and still are. There are thousands of young hockey players across the world that would love to have the opportunity that your on ice talent has afforded you.

Goodbye Lias. Maybe you'll sleep better at night after a long 12 hour workday in a Swedish factory.
- VinnyP

- eichiefs9

I agree with beandip. I think it would be a mistake to dump Lias. I’m sorry but to give up on a 7th overall pick only 3 years ago, is extremely foolish. And guys he didn’t do anything that bad, Jesus. Y’all ripping him a new arsehole He was homesick, young, somewhat stupid and lack of confidence. The last thing we’d want is someone picking him up for nothing and then he becomes a player elsewhere. He’s at least admitting he wasn’t in the best frame of mind and not hiding it, I actually like that. Maybe he’s matured from this

What’s up with his feet? I think we’re losing something “in translation” there.

I agree with beandip. I think it would be a mistake to dump Lias. I’m sorry but to give up on a 7th overall pick only 3 years ago, is extremely foolish. And guys he didn’t do anything that bad, Jesus. Y’all ripping him a new arsehole He was homesick, young, somewhat stupid and lack of confidence. The last thing we’d want is someone picking him up for nothing and then he becomes a player elsewhere. He’s at least admitting he wasn’t in the best frame of mind and not hiding it, I actually like that. Maybe he’s matured from this
- Slimtj100

He's probably never going to live up to 7th-overall hype but that doesn't mean he still can't be a valuable piece to the team. Jesper Fast isn't a star but he's still a damn nice player to have in your lineup.

What’s up with his feet? I think we’re losing something “in translation” there.
- Bromancer

He was injured when he went back home. Idk if it was both feet or just a foot, but he failed to mention it to the training staff. Brought him a lot of discomfort skating, but has since healed

He's probably never going to live up to 7th-overall hype but that doesn't mean he still can't be a valuable piece to the team. Jesper Fast isn't a star but he's still a damn nice player to have in your lineup.
- eichiefs9

Totally agree. Can't be mad at the player for where he was taken. Hopefully he turns into a decent third/fourth liner with some upside and he becomes a "memorable" player.

Totally agree. Can't be mad at the player for where he was taken. Hopefully he turns into a decent third/fourth liner with some upside and he becomes a "memorable" player. is absolutely terrible
- Bean_Dip

fixed

fixed
- eichiefs9

Ho-Sang for Lias? He’ll be Oriental Mario for us