By Warren Kozireski–
After dealing Derek Stepan and Antti Raanta to Arizona and receiving their seventh-overall and defenseman Anthony DeAngelo, the New York Rangers used their first of two first round selection on center Lias Andersson from Sweden.
With their own pick at #21, they drafted another center, this time from the Czech Republic in Filip Chytil.
In both cases, the Rangers reached below the NHL Central Scouting ranking with Andersson slotted third among European skaters, but in the low-20’s on most draft boards and Chytil 11th in Europe and in the 60’s overall.
It marked the first time the Rangers have had a first round draft pick since 2012 and the first time they have had two selections since taking Al Montoya (6) and Lauri Korpikowski (19) in the 2004 draft.
Andersson played for HV71 of the Swedish Elite League last season and put up 9 goals and 19 points in 42 games, plus five points in 16 playoff games.
He is listed at 5’11” and 198 lb. He does come with a pedigree in father Niklas played 165 NHL games, including three seasons with the rival New York Islanders, and is currently a scout with Los Angeles.
“I think I’m a two-way center, I love to change games and score big goals and I want be a leader, Andersson said in the media scrum.
“I love watching good centermen like (Jonathan) Toews and Claude Giroux of the Flyers. They play a little bit tough and score big goals and they are game changers. Toews is a big winner who has won everything and I want to win everything too.
“I’ve never been to New York before, so it will be fun to go there. Actually my mom and dad met the first time in New York so they can show me around a little bit.”
Andersson does have a contract with Frolunda in the Swedish league for next year, but said he was open to playing in the AHL should he not make the Rangers roster this fall.
Chytil, a 6’0”, 179 lb. scored four goals with four assists in 38 games playing with Zlin.
“It was a surprise for me and one of the best feelings of my life, Chytil said in very good English for which he began taking lessons last September. “It’s great to be a part of the New York Rangers and it is amazing.
“My biggest strengths are skating and hands and my vision and I strong on the puck. I have to work on my shot, but I work on it every day.
Chytil won’t turn 18 until early September, but as most European players do, played against men last season in the Czech league.
“It was a great experience playing against older players in a man’s league and I believe for my development it will be better to stay one more season in Zlin and then play in the U.S.”
Barring any more trades, the Rangers have four selections on Day Two of the draft in the fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh rounds.
(Rangers.com photo)
