The New York Rangers announced yesterday that forward Lias Andersson has been loaned to HV71 of the SHL (Swedish Hockey League). Andersson had split time between both the Rangers and their AHL affiliate Hartford Wolf Pack before leaving the team, which in turn resulted in him being suspended.
Since leaving, it was reported that Lias Andersson had officially requested a trade and the Rangers were taking calls on the young Swedish forward. There have been other rumours surrounding Andersson as well, such as him being bullied within the Rangers organization, and talk of him suffering from depression.
The once highly touted prospect has had an extremely disappointing start to his career, as he has managed just nine total points in 66 career games. When he left the team, he had returned to his home in Sweden, and will now get the opportunity to play there as well. One certainly hopes that this will be the spark he needs to find his game once again.
Although this has certainly not been what the Rangers or Andersson had hoped for when he was taken seventh overall in the 2017 draft, it still has a chance to get better. Andersson is still just 21-years-old and has a chance to become the player many believed he could be just a few short years ago. Whether that next opportunity will come with the Rangers or another team remains to be seen.
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NPQ
