The Boston Bruins will need some of their young, developing prospects to make the step to the National Hockey League soon. This summer’s rookie development camp should shed some light on who might fight for a spot on the Bruins roster this fall. One name that continues to be at the top of the list is forward Fabian Lysell. The former first-round pick in the 2021 NHL Draft has yet to compete at a Bruins rookie camp. This July, all signs point to Lysell attending the camp at Warrior Arena.
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Lysell spent last season with the Bruins’ American Hockey League affiliate Providence Bruins, played 54 games, and registered 14 goals and 23 assists with a minus-12 rating. The Baby Bruins lost their playoff series in three games, and Lysell posted just one assist as the team struggled offensively. The 5-foot-11, 180-pound winger had his ups and downs in his first professional season but also showed flashes of brilliance.
Lysell battled through a poor showing during the World Junior Championships for Team Sweden, in which the talented forward went pointless in seven games with 29 penalty minutes. In the Bronze Medal Game, Lysell was ejected for a questionable hit. It was a far cry from Lysell’s performance in the tournament the year before when he collected two goals and four assists.
But what was encouraging about Lysell’s development with Providence was his improving defensive game and the fact that physicality was something that Lysell was able to absorb. In the playoffs, Hartford’s Adam Clendening was suspended for a hit on Lysell, who suffered a concussion. The Bruins’ top prospect has since recovered and should be ready for camp.
The 20-year-old forward will be given every chance this fall to make the Bruins’ roster. Lysell and Providence linemate Georgii Merkulov are two forwards who the Bruins might need to count on as the team works through salary cap issues and a possibility of lineup juggling. Centers Patrice Bergeron and David Krejci might not return to the team, and free agent Tyler Bertuzzi might be too expensive to retain. Adding Lysell would give the Bruins a low-cost option in their forward group.
Bruins rookie camp, which is held from July 3-7, will give fans an opportunity to see prospects Lysell, Merkulov, Mason Lohrei, Brett Harrison, and Matthew Poitras in action. All five of these young players had good, productive seasons in 2022-23 and lead a prospect group that is surely helping the Bruins out of the bottom of the league among prospect rankings.
This summer Fabian Lysell takes another step toward becoming an NHL player and showing the league that he is worthy of the 21st overall pick in the 2021 NHL Draft.
