( Photo Credit: JESSICA RINALDI / GLOBE STAFF )

By: Sam Minton | Follow me on Twitter @sam_minton22

Ever since the Boston Bruins drafted Fabian Lysell, all fans have been hearing about how great the first-round draft pick was. Head coach Bruce Cassidy will have only fueled the flames surrounding Lysell after his comments on Friday.

Drafted 21st overall in the 2021 NHL Draft. His speed and ability to pass the puck seem to have him on the fast track to playing in the NHL. He can not only create chances for others, but he can also create chances for himself.

But Lysell will be playing with the Vancouver Giants in the WHL in this upcoming season. It will give him an opportunity to sharpen his skills as he hopes to soon crack the NHL roster in future seasons.

Lysell has already been able to put up some impressive numbers. Last year with the Swedish U-18 team, he was able to tally three goals and six assists in under ten games played.

The choice to play in the WHL seems to be a smart one, especially with Cassidy comparing him to a Bruins star on Friday. Could we see the development of the next David Pastrnak? The head coach seems to think so.

As many Bruins fans will remember, when Pastrnak first started playing in the NHL, he looked like a string bean out there on the ice. The winger was getting pushed around and struggled to stay on the puck.

This led to Pastrnak getting sent down and being forced to work on getting into corners and doing the dirty work. When he came back to the NHL he was stronger and ever since he has been one of the best wingers in the NHL. It’s safe to say that the move worked out for both sides.

Lysell will get the same opportunity with the Giants. As a wise podcast host (hello Boosy) once said, Lysell will get to learn how to play with the big boys instead of the youngsters he has previously gone up against. He can become a stronger player and even improve his skill by playing in the WHL.

The fact that the Bruins don’t need to rush Lysell’s development shows the talent pool that they have been able to develop. They don’t have to worry about having him start right away, he can play in the WHL and develop his game so that once he does get the call up, there will be no turning back. Also, the Bruins don’t have to burn a year on his entry-level contract and get more time to have him under team control.

So Bruins fans will need to be patient when it comes to Lysell playing in the NHL, but they should be excited as it appears that they have a true star on their hands. At one point, it might have been scary to imagine life without guys such as Patrice Bergeron and Brad Marchand, but maybe the kids will do alright and ensure that the B’s are competitors for years to come.