It was revealed on Wednesday that Andersson had reached an agreement to sign a two-year contract with EHC Biel-Bienne, a National League team in Switzerland. Biel-Bienne General Manager Martin Steinegger expressed the team's excitement about having Andersson join them for the 202425 and 202526 seasons, as well as their belief that he will be able to contribute to their offense moving forward.
As previously indicated, Andersson, 25, has not had an easy time in North America. After being selected by the New York Rangers with the seventh overall pick in the 2017 NHL Draft, he asked to be traded, refused to be sent to the AHL, was loaned to the Swedish Hockey League, and finally joined the Los Angeles Kings.
He played for the Los Angeles Kings organization for portions of three seasons until signing a one-year contract with the Montreal Canadiens for 202324 last summer after not receiving a qualifying offer. Andersson spent the whole season in the AHL with Laval and had a respectable season, with 45 points (21 goals, 24 assists) in 53 games, while never playing a minute for the Canadiens.
It will be interesting to see if Lias Andersson receives a qualifying offer from Montreal Canadiens general manager Kent Hughes to keep his rights, but I personally wouldn't hold my breath and there's a good chance he won't be qualified, becoming an unrestricted free agent on Canada Day.
