Adam Graves on Lias Andersson's competitiveness and where the Rangers are

"He is a kid that will find a way to have an impact on the game every night because he is so hungry."

7/16/2018, 7:53 PM

Adam Graves was a guest on TSN1050 Toronto radio earlier today and was asked about Lias Andersson and the Rangers.

Graves said that Andersson is an "incredibly competitive young man and wore the "C" for Sweden for a reason. People would say that any time a medal goes into the stands that you notice it, but he is a very well intentioned, character kid, loves to win, we were very fortunate to be able to be able to draft him, along with Chytil, our other first round pick and this year we had three first round picks and for us we are at a different stage after moving Rick Nash at the deadline and of course our captain in Ryan McDonagh and JT Miller and having 10 picks in a seven round draft. We are trying to develop these guys and put them in an environment to succeed, when you have character young kids like Andersson, it's much easier on the development side. He is a kid that will find a way to have an impact on the game every night because he is so hungry." (TSN 1050)

On the internal reaction to Andersson tossing the medal, Graves said, "on a stage like that there is going to be some negative feedback but like anyone else, he's competitive, a great character kid and that is part of life. You go through different journeys and exxperience different things and in a tournament like that, it will draw some ire when you see that but when you get to sit down with the kid and understand how competitive he is, I don't think it was mean spirited but it was one of those things for young kids that they know you can't always do that. Love the kid, he's just a character kid." (TSN 1050)

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