June 19: Andersson will indeed be heading to Switzerland, inking a two-year deal with Biel-Bienne that was made official Wednesday. Notably, a two-year deal means he’ll be an unrestricted free agent if he attempts to return to the NHL in 2026, so the Habs issuing him a qualifying offer means nothing unless he opts out of his contract with Biel-Bienne after one season.
June 1: Forward Lias Andersson was once a highly touted prospect after being the seventh overall pick back in 2017. However, his stock has fallen considerably since then to the point where he didn’t see any NHL action this season. Now, it appears that he’s opting for a new opportunity as Blick’s Gregory Beaud relays that Andersson is linked to Biel-Bienne in Switzerland for next season.
Beaud adds that some have suggested a deal with the 25-year-old is already in place although GM Martin Steinegger indicated that’s not the case but revealed that he is interested in bringing Andersson to his club for next season.
After spending all but one game in the minors in 2022-23, the Kings elected not to tender Andersson a qualifying offer, resulting in him becoming an unrestricted free agent. He quickly landed with the Canadiens, inking a one-year, two-way deal with the hope that he’d push for a roster spot with Montreal in training camp.
That didn’t happen. Instead, he cleared waivers in training camp and was sent down to AHL Laval where he stayed for the entire season. Andersson had a productive showing for the Rocket, collecting 21 goals and 24 assists in 53 games while missing considerable time due to a lower-body injury. Despite being one of Laval’s top forwards, Montreal elected not to bring him up at any point of the season.
If a deal with Biel-Bienne ultimately gets done, the Canadiens will still have the option to tender Andersson a qualifying offer which would keep him under club control. Meanwhile, if Andersson has determined that a regular spot in the NHL isn’t coming his way based on how things have gone in the NHL, perhaps a strong showing overseas could ultimately boost his stock down the road.
100% of prospects that throw their silver medals into the stands at the World Juniors, don’t pan out
When the Rangers tell these guys that they’re junk, they should listen.
What a waste of talent. Long time Ranger fan who was excited to see him drafted #7 overall. However, it was so obvious once he came in for his first training camp that he didn’t have the heart or desire to put in the work needed to become an NHL player. He had that entitled attitude and figured he would waltz in and be handed a top line spot and PP time. He wasn’t! Next he pulls an immature move and goes back to Sweden to be with Mommy and Daddy because of his lack of playing time. The Rangers, believing in his talent instead of suspending him (which would have precluded him from playing anywhere), let him work out a deal to be loaned to his Swedish team.
Of course the next year he said he was more mature (throwing away a silver medal is not being mature) and came to camp where he totally crapped the bed. He refused to be sent to the minors and, well we all know what happened next. He ruined his reputation around the league and was on a short leash with LA and then Montreal.
Way to blow millions of dollars and your career all before the age of 22.