By: Declan Flavin | Follow me on Twitter / X @FlavinDeclan
Winger Fabian Lysell is a high-level skater who is also facing a crucial season for his future with the Boston Bruins and beyond. The organization could benefit if his flashy skating and natural offensive instincts pull through.
Offensively, Lysell is another player who needs to be in the attacking zone to thrive. Defensively, he needs to make progress with whatever stick-checking he can bring. To stick around, Lysell needs to willingly impose himself more while staying aware of his teammates, both as part of the unit’s structure and for opportunities to attack.
On the offensive side of the ice, Lysell has the burst to maneuver in tight spaces and blow by defensemen, tallying 12 goals and 25 assists in 64 games across Providence and Boston. His light physique, which helps maintain his high speed, will always be a challenge given modern National Hockey League trends, but it has been more about playing away from the forecheck and team structure that has held him back.
Using his speed when transitioning to an offensive forecheck to pressure opposing defensemen would be a great first step in addressing this. If he can consistently read plays and make smart decisions under pressure, his offensive potential could become a major asset for the team. The Bruins want to put a ticking clock on opposing defensemen, and seeing Lysell set that tone would both help his reputation with coaches and reinforce for himself the mindset to play within the team’s game plan.
Defensively, Lysell doesn’t yet have a standout element that he consistently brings to the unit. This has been an area that requires more work in the dirty areas, whether through stick-checking or more physical play.
Bringing more energy to wall battles, where the puck is fumbling around skates, is an area where he could improve to help shape his overall game. The team needs to be able to rely on all players, skilled or not, to bring urgency to battles along the edges of the ice, and Lysell addressing this with his speed would be another way to help the group. Learning to read opponents’ movements and anticipate plays could also elevate his defensive impact and help the team maintain momentum in critical situations. As Lysell’s development continues, attention to Bruins prospects in NHL futures grows, with fans and analysts often tracking odds and season projections on platforms like FanDuel.
Lysell has the tools to make a real impact in a modern forechecking game; he simply just needs to put it all together. There are plenty of elite skaters who can’t bring size to the table, but that hasn’t stopped them from contributing at a high level. The organization still hasn’t seen enough from the flash Lysell brings with his movement, so time is ticking on his time here.
The combination of his flash and an established forechecking presence could provide a rare element of true two-way capability for this team. If he can consistently combine speed, awareness, and effort, Lysell could become a unique weapon in Boston’s lineup and a player who shifts the dynamic of both the offensive and defensive sides of the ice.
Joe Prosser