New York Rangers Assign Lias Andersson to Hartford, Recall Tim Gettinger
The New York Rangers have announced that center Lias Andersson has been demoted to their AHL affiliate, the Hartford Wolf Pack. Tim Gettinger has also been promoted to the Rangers.
OFFICIAL: Rangers recall Tim Gettinger from @WolfPackAHL and assign Lias Andersson to Hartford.
— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) November 17, 2019
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Andersson’s usage has been a topic of conversation throughout the first month of the season. A strong preseason led to him starting in New York, but as their fourth-liner center. Despite some of his defensive efforts in the first few games, his minutes and role was not expanded. The fourth line in general on a David Quinn-led team isn’t leaned on, but this year in particular, they’ve played minimal minutes.
On a Quinn-led team, players generally have to earn their minutes and promotions. The Rangers’ seventh overall pick in 2017 hasn’t shined in his few minutes to move up, though the lack of opportunity and his most frequent linemates certainly haven’t helped. Averaging 9:33 through 17 games, Andersson has most frequently centered Brendan Smith at even strength (84:31), followed by Greg McKegg (45:21) and Micheal Haley (42:28). He skated in a season-low 3:55 in all situations last night against the Panthers.
To this point, Andersson has 34 points in 61 Hartford games over the last two seasons. The question is how long his stint will be this year. Filip Chytil started the season with the Wolf Pack, and after playing leading minutes, tallying nine points in nine games, and refining his game on both ends of the ice, he was promoted to the Rangers. Ideally, this developmental stint does the same for Andersson.
Gettinger, a 6-foot-6 left-handed winger, got off to a slow start in Hartford this year. But the winger’s heated up as of late, with four points in his last five games.
After a slow start to the season, Tim Gettinger is heating up. Now has a four-game point streak after this creative PP assist to Vinni Lettieri. pic.twitter.com/pbBTFtxmUQ
— Adam Herman (@AdamZHerman) November 16, 2019
The Rangers’ 141st pick in 2016 has played four games at the NHL level — all of which game came last year in New York. He has 33 points in 81 games with Wolf Pack.
With the Rangers waiving Haley earlier today and demoting Andersson, a fourth-liner is needed. For now, the fourth line likely consists of Gettinger with McKegg and Smith. When Mika Zibanejad returns to the lineup, one of the top-nine wingers will likely slot down to the fourth and bump one of these players.
