Let’s jump into the time capsule and go back one year. It’s September 28, 2018 and the New York Rangers have finalized their opening night roster. Ranger fans are somewhat surprised to learn that 2017 first rounder Lias Andersson has been sent to Hartford. The consolation is that Filip Chytil, their second first round pick the same year, has made the team and will be a starter.
When Lias Andersson was sent to Hartford last year after training camp, it unleashed a torrent of commentary about his future and the incompetence of Rangers talent evaluators. Observers call the highest first round pick for the Rangers in 13 years a failure and a disappointment.