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New York Rangers: Four players that need to put 2018 in the past

By Nicholas Zararis

NASHVILLE, TN - DECEMBER 29: Brady Skjei #76 of the New York Rangers skates against the Nashville Predators at Bridgestone Arena on December 29, 2018 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by John Russell/NHLI via Getty Images)
NASHVILLE, TN - DECEMBER 29: Brady Skjei #76 of the New York Rangers skates against the Nashville Predators at Bridgestone Arena on December 29, 2018 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by John Russell/NHLI via Getty Images) /
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NEW YORK, NY – DECEMBER 16: Lias Andersson #50 of the New York Rangers looks on during warmups before the game against the Vegas Golden Knights at Madison Square Garden on December 16, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Jared Silber/NHLI via Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY – DECEMBER 16: Lias Andersson #50 of the New York Rangers looks on during warmups before the game against the Vegas Golden Knights at Madison Square Garden on December 16, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Jared Silber/NHLI via Getty Images) /

Number four: Lias Andersson

Now, before you grab your pitchforks and point to the fact that Lias Andersson is only 20 years old and has less than 40 NHL games, take a deep breath. I recognize the fact that the Swede has not been given the right opportunity at the NHL level to make an impact and grow. There is still plenty of time for Andersson to get better and become the player the organization expects him to be.

However, the organization justified taking Andersson at number seven overall on the justification that he was a safe choice and someone that would be ready to make an impact at the NHL level right away. While the Swede has played well in his limited action, he’s failed to distinguish himself in a way that his fellow first round pick, Filip Chytil, has.

Granted, it’s hard to do much of anything with only 10:23 of ice time and wingers like Cody McLeod. While David Quinn has good intentions with his meritocracy based system that forces players to perform to move up the lineup, he’s gotta help out the 2017 first round pick.

While Andersson is starting 2019 in the AHL, he’s going to be back at the NHL level sooner rather than later. All it takes is one good week of performances to entrench himself in the team’s top six. Given the proper time, I’m sure Andersson will live up to his amateur billing.

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