The Swedish native, 25, has 110 games of NHL experience, but has spent the entire season in the AHl with Laval.
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As he nears the end of his first season in the Canadiens’ organization, and knowing he’s eligible to become a restricted free agent this summer, Laval Rocket forward Lias Andersson can’t help but contemplate his future.
“Of course it’s always in the back of your head, especially when you’re getting older,” Andersson, 25, said after Monday morning’s practice at Place Bell. “I’m not a prospect anymore.
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“I haven’t thought that far ahead. My agent has his ears open. You have to be open to anything. You never know what’s going to happen. Be ready for everything and expect everything. It’s the same for everyone.”
Andersson has one thing working in his favour. He was selected in the first-round (seventh overall) in 2017 by the New York Rangers when Jeff Gorton was the team’s general manager and Gorton is now the Canadiens’ executive vice-president of hockey operations.
The 6-foot, 185-pound Swedish native has 110 games of NHL experience, having scored a modest seven goals and 17 points. He’s also with his third organization, following a stop with the Los Angeles Kings, and never has played a full season in the top league.
Andersson started well with Laval this season, scoring seven goals and nine points in his first six games before his production dropped off. He missed seven weeks with a groin injury sustained in early November that took a toll.
“I had a couple of those before and it scares me a little bit,” he explained. “It’s more mental than physical. It was tough for skating. You need to have the legs to be able to start and stop, make tight turns and get going quick. That was the toughest part, not trusting your groin really … and know that it’s healthy.”
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Andersson has only one goal in his last 10 games, but recorded three assists in Saturday’s 7-4 victory against Springfield, playing on a line with Mitch Stephens and Arnaud Durandeau. Stephens paced the Rocket attack, with three goals and two assists, while Durandeau added a pair of goals and one assist.
In 49 games this season, Andersson has 18 goals and 40 points. In 67 games last season with the Kings’ AHL affiliate in Ontario, Calif., he scored 31 goals and 59 points.
There’s no denying Andersson’s offensive abilities, hockey sense, puck skills and shot.
“He’s a player that can score some goals and make some passes,” Rocket head coach Jean-François Houle said. “He was knocking at the door of the NHL. That’s tough when you think you’re close but you spend the whole year in the AHL. Mentally those guys are in between. Sometimes it’s hard.
“He’s a player that has experience, has skill and we know he can get points. In the AHL, those players are valuable.”
Andersson said he wasn’t disappointed, nor was he anticipating, being recalled by the Canadiens this season, noting the injury derailed those plans. With four regular-season games remaining, he’s more focused on the Rocket’s push for a playoff berth.
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“I’ll see what I have (contract-wise) on the table,” he said. “In North America you have to wait a little longer before you get those offers compared to what I’m used to in Sweden. Nothing’s signed. Nothing’s decided. I’ll see what the future holds.”
The Rocket (32-28-8) continues barely holding onto the fifth and final playoff spot in the North Division. Laval is tied with Belleville, which has played two fewer games.
“We’ve just got to win our games,” Houle said. “If we win our games we should be ok. It depends on the rest of the league. We just have to concentrate on ourselves.”
Laval leaves by bus Tuesday morning for Cleveland and a pair of games there, Thursday and Saturday. The Rocket concludes its season with a pair of games against Belleville, April 19 and 20. Brandon Gignac, the team’s leading scorer with 19 goals and 55 points, suffered a lower-body injury last Friday and received treatment on Monday. He’ll accompany the team to Cleveland, but his status remains uncertain, Houle said.
hzurkowsky@postmedia.com
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