New York Rangers: Lias Andersson is not a cause for concern

Although 2017 first round pick Lias Andersson did not make the New York Rangers roster, there is no need to be worried.

There is no exact science when it comes to player development in professional sports. While there are clear benchmarks in terms of both skillset and attitude, there is no one way to develop a prospect. So point blank, a 19-year-old first round pick starting the season in the AHL is not the end of the world.

In fact, Rangers’ head coach David Quinn picking Brett Howden for the final roster should be encouraging. It’s pretty clear that Howden will be a stopgap until forward Boo Nieves returns from his concussion. Howden’s skillset is better suited for playing fourth line minutes in the NHL.

The Rangers need to get eight or nine years out of Andersson at the NHL level. There is no point in the team rushing along a player just to get him playing in a limited role. If the team brought the Swede along for the start of the season, he would not be getting the full scope of development.

While every player develops differently, the conventional wisdom is getting a raw talent as much ice time as possible makes the most sense. Take the Rangers’ multi-year dance with Chris Kreider before the Boston College product finally broke through.

The forward clearly possessed the physical skills to play in the NHL, but he just was not where he needed to be mentally. Riding the bus in the AHL is extremely motivating when you’re one of the best players on the entire team.

Why it’s okay

Give Andersson time, Rome was not built in a day. The Rangers’ rebuild is an ambitious multi-year project with the hope of setting the organization up for the long term. The front office has a clear direction for the future and it is oriented around a stockpile of entry level contracts. When the team’s prospects take the step into being players instead of just theoretical pieces, the organization can proceed to the next step.

For all intents and purposes, the 2018-2019 season is playing with house money. There are no expectations of anything particularly special from the Rangers, so the coaching staff can focus on the long game. That’s at least part of why the organization gave Quinn a five year deal to jump from college. This is going to take time to get where every player needs to be.

As for Andersson specifically, the center is only 19 years old and still developing. In addition, only two players from the 2017 draft class, Nico Hischier and Nolan Patrick, played a full NHL season last year. Meaning that Andersson is on pace with the rest of his draft class aside from the top two picks in his year.

Do not panic about a 19-year-old first round pick getting to play 20 minutes per night in the AHL. Working things out in the minors presents an environment in which a player can develop with less scrutiny.

Patience will be a major key to surviving this rebuild. By their very nature, rebuilds are frustrating and exhausting. But, players need time to blossom into players from prospects.