Vancouver Canucks: 5 Players to Watch for 2017 NHL Draft
Lias Andersson — HV71, SHL
The Vancouver Canucks will lose the Sedin twins eventually. It’s inevitable. But since we are used to seeing a lot of Swedes on the roster — from Markus Naslund to the twins and Jacob Markstrom — Lias Andersson might be a great choice.
Being Swedish obviously isn’t the only argument for Andersson. A Future Considerations scout compares him to Detroit Red Wings legend Henrik Zetterberg:
"A smart, mature, two-way center…good decision-making, leadership qualities and advanced understanding of the game…a true three-zone player…defensively responsible…will drop to block shots or find the open option and get his body in passing lanes…dangerous forechecker who reads the defense and uses an active stick to disrupt…covers up the ice for his teammates on the backcheck and always gives an honest effort…doesn’t commit a lot of mistakes and plays a very calm game while in puck possession…has solid offensive instincts…protects the puck very well and is hard to knock off of it, uses all of his frame to keep opponents away from the puck…possesses a nice, quick shot release…not a flashy puckhandler, but can carry it up ice and distribute it well…has solid vision and the ability to set up his linemates…has good balance and generates decent speed, but his skating has some room to grow…a potential two-way guy in the Zetterberg mold."
Unlike North American prospects, Andersson is already in his second professional season. In 2015-16, he appeared in 26 SHL games but went without a point. This season, however, he broke out as a legitimate scoring threat. So far, he has two goals and six points in 13 games. That comes in addition to his defensive abilities.
Coming from Sweden, Andersson will also be AHL eligible next season. For the Canucks, getting a pro-ready player, who could go to the AHL if need be, could be huge in the rebuild that is to come.
Andersson is ranked 12th by Future Considerations and 25th by ISS Hockey. If the Canucks manage to get back into playoff contention — or even manage to get in — Andersson could be the perfect choice. He might be a second Horvat, in the sense that he doesn’t necessarily have No. 1 potential, but Horvat on the top line and Andersson on the second would be a great place to start.