lias andersson

The Rangers officially recalled Lias Andersson and Filip Chytil yesterday, ending the speculation of when, not if, they would be called up. The 2017 first round picks will play for the rest of the season, something we’ve been waiting for since the rebuild was announced last month.

If the trade deadline was the setup for the new direction of the club, then the recalls –and hopefully legitimate playing time– of Andersson and Chytil represent the first step in the process. Chytil could turn into a legitimate top line talent, something the Rangers sorely need. Andersson will likely be a depth/middle-six guy. Something every team needs, but not something that gets them over the hump.

But these two are just the first steps in what is likely going to be a lengthy and frustrating process. The Rangers still need to hit homeruns with their three first round picks. They need the majority of the prospects acquired to pan out, and some to exceed expectations. There’s a lot that needs to happen, and it takes time.

The big takeaway is that Chytil and Andersson on their own will not turn the team around. Inserting them in the lineup does not make the Rangers a winning team again. We as New Yorkers are a pretty impatient breed, so I get a feeling we will need to go through this several times. This being just the first.

If they both pan out, then Chytil is likely good for 50-60 points (first line production) and Andersson for anywhere from 30-50 points, depending on where he winds up slotting into the lineup. We aren’t talking about a pair of McDavid’s here.

I’m looking forward to seeing how the teenagers perform in the seven games this year, but am also cognizant of who they are playing for and what system –or lack thereof– they are playing in. This is good experience for them to hopefully be the first building blocks of many to come. It’s an exciting time, for sure, but there will be growing pains.

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