Elliotte Friedman believes New York Rangers’ prospect Lias Andersson was a possible target of the Edmonton Oilers in exchange for Jesse Puljujarvi.
It didn’t take long for the rumors to start regarding a potential trade of New York Rangers’ prospect Lias Andersson.
Sportsnet reporter Elliotte Friedman wrote in his 31 thoughts column on Tuesday that the Edmonton Oilers were pursuing the recently demoted Andersson.
The Oilers have had their problems as Jesse Puljujarvi refused a contract offer and left to play hockey overseas. The Oilers had until Dec. 1 to re-sign him or trade his rights to another club.
When the Dec. 1 deadline passed, Puljujarvi could not play this season in the NHL, a decision that he was comfortable with.
“Before the Dec. 1 signing deadline, word is the Oilers re-engaged some of the clubs who had shown previous interest in Jesse Puljujarvi,” Friedman reported. “That includes the Rangers, St. Louis and Tampa Bay. I believe they discussed Lias Andersson with New York, and think Puljujarvi wanted to go there, but things couldn’t close.”
Lias Andersson made the team out of training camp after spending the majority of last season with the Hartford Wolf Pack.
He began the year on the fourth line but was never able to get a real opportunity to play, as he averaged just over eight minutes per game.
Andersson was sent to the AHL in mid-November to get more ice time.
