2017 NHL Draft

Lias Andersson

HV71 (SHL)

Steve Kournianos  |  06/02/2017 |  New York  |  [hupso]

Profile

Position: Center/Wing
Shoots: Left
Height / Weight: 5’11, 198 lbs
Born: October 13, 1998 | Smogen, Sweden
Nation: Sweden

The Draft Analyst Ranking:

PRE SEP OCT FEB MAY JUN
10 9 11 10 13 15

Regular Season

SEASON TEAM GP G A P PIM
2016-17 HV71 (SHL) 42 9 10 19 18
2016-17 Sweden (U20 WJC) 7 3 0 3 6
2016-17 HV71 J20 (Superelit) 3 2 0 2 2
2015-16 HV71 J20 (Superelit) 37 24 35 59 91
2015-16 HV71 (SHL) 22 0 0 0 6
2015-16 Sweden (U18 WC) 7 5 4 9 8
2015-16 Sweden (U18 Hlinka) 5 0 0 0 18
2015-16 HV71 J18 (J18 Elit) 2 1 5 6 0
2014-15 HV71 J20 (Superelit) 25 6 3 9 16
2014-15 HV71 J18 (J18 Elit) 13 6 13 19 20
2014-15 Sweden (U17 WHC) 6 1 3 4 2

Scouting Report

One of the few forward prospects who played consistent minutes for a contending adult team, Andersson showcased more creativity and puck skills at several best-on-best tournaments while manning one of Sweden’s top two lines. He’s a 200-foot battler with soft hands and makes smart decisions while motoring up ice. Andersson is a virtual lock for a lengthy NHL career, and his style of play can fit any system.

Andersson is a mature, two-way center who can occasionally fill in on the wing. He had a strong rookie season in the SHL, finishing with 19 points in 42 games for a talented HV71 club. Andersson has run the gauntlet of international competition with aplomb, placing among Sweden’s leaders in goals and points at the last WJC and U18 world championship. A shifty, elusive player with good acceleration who is quick on his feet and a has knack for making something out of nothing, Andersson has a ton of upside considering how well he fared as a teenager on a good team in an adult league. He has a very good shot, mainly for his release and accuracy rather than sheer power. Playing inside is something he’ll do with regularity, and Andersson’s proven to snap off a quick shot while cutting across or in full stride.