By: Eamonn McLean | Follow me on Twitter/X @EamonnMcLean44
Thursday night’s 5-1 loss to the Vegas Golden Knights was more of the same for the Boston Bruins. The B’s were held to 19 shots on goal, on their way to their fourth straight defeat, having only won six of their last 20 games. After selling off several key pieces at the trade deadline, Boston looks resigned to the fact that their odds of making the playoffs this year are highly unlikely. While the Bruins hope that a disappointing season such as this one will be a one-off, they can still make the most out of the 12 games remaining on the regular season schedule.
One way of doing so is by evaluating young talent at the National Hockey League level. Boston to an extent has already done this, by playing young players such as Matt Poitras, Marat Khusnutdinov, and Georgii Merkulov. Now, it’s Fabian Lysell’s turn.
Lysell, a native of Goteborg, Sweden, has appeared in one NHL game to date, a 4-0 victory over the Columbus Blue Jackets, where he was +1. Selected 21st overall in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft, a recent call-up from Providence represents perhaps his best opportunity to date to stick around in the NHL. A combination of strong play in the American Hockey League, and the Bruins’ situation in the Atlantic Division Standings may have contributed to this opportunity.
“The reports from Providence are all positive as far as his game down there.” Bruins Interim Head Coach Joe Sacco told reporters on Tuesday at Warrior Ice Arena. “Not just offensively, but his 200-foot game, his play away from the puck, his ability to stay on pucks, the things that we need to see from some of the young players. I think it’s good that he’s getting an opportunity. At some point we’ll see him in the lineup here.“.
While the Bruins can afford for young players to make mistakes at this point, big decisions are ahead at 100 Legends Way, including whether or not Sacco will be made the permanent Head Coach. In addition, roster personnel decisions are looming. Restricted free agents, Morgan Geekie, Mason Lohrei, Marat Khusnutdinov and Johnny Beecher will need new contracts, as will unrestricted free agent Henri Jokiharju. In addition to trying to retain players who are out of contract, the Bruins will be looking to add to their group. Perhaps the biggest area of need on the current roster is their top-six wings. Outside of David Pastrnak and Pavel Zacha, Boston needs offensive reinforcements on both the right and left sides of the ice.
With an unrestricted free agent pool that currently features talents such as Mitch Marner, Nikolaj Ehlers, and Brock Boeser, the Bruins may pursue one of those players, which makes this trip even more important for a young player like Lysell. While he may not be able to pencil himself in for a spot next year with the Bruins right now, Lysell can keep his name relevant to the discussion with strong efforts on this road trip. Tonight’s game against the San Jose Sharks would be a good place to start, if he is given the opportunity to do so.
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