By: Tom Calautti | @TCalauttis
It looks like Fabian Lysell may have finally turned a corner. The Swedish forward is playing some of the best hockey of his career for the Providence Bruins, and if he continues to elevate his game, he could find himself in Boston sooner rather than later.
The 22-year-old forward put the AHL and the rest of the hockey world on notice earlier this week when he scored a highlight reel goal in Providence’s 5-1 over the Toronto Marlies on Thanksgiving Eve. That tally may have garnered the latest round of publicity for Lysell, but make no mistake, his game has been building all season.
The former first-round pick currently sits 21st in the AHL in scoring with 9-9-18 in 16 games. His nine goals are tied for 13th, and his three game-winning goals are good enough for third in the league.
While those stats are impressive, they don’t paint the complete picture of just how dominant Lysell has been over his team’s most recent stretch. In his last eight games, the 22-year-old has notched 5-6-11. He’s also the owner of a three-game point streak, where he’s registered 3-3-6 over those contests.
Fans have been waiting for this moment since the Bruins selected Lysell with the 21st overall pick in the 2021 Draft. The moment when the speedy winger would combine his physical gifts and natural skill to advance into a true pro, capable of producing at the NHL level.
Given what we’ve seen over the first 18 games of this season, and the last 11 in particular, it looks like he may be ready to take the next step. The question is if and when Bruins management will give him another opportunity in the big leagues.
Don Sweeney & Co. gave Lysell an extended look at the NHL level last season, where he posted 1-2-3 in 12 games following the team’s trade deadline tear-down. Things were rocky when he initially joined the team, but Lysell eventually showed signs of figuring things out, putting up 1-2-3 in the final four games of the year.
That extended look wasn’t enough to shine through an unimpressive 2025-26 training camp, and the former Vancouver Giant was relegated back to Providence for another season of AHL hockey. But things are different now, and it may finally be time for management to give the young playmaker a shot.
The Boston Bruins have been struck by the injury bug this season. At multiple points through the year (which is only 27 games in), Boston has seen David Pastrnak (according to reports out of this morning’s practice), Elias Lindholm, Viktor Arvidsson, and Casey Mittlestadt all miss multiple games due to injury. The Black and Gold have 14 games on their schedule in December, and the long march to a holiday break could add additional stress to an already ailing team.
In addition to the injury concerns, the Bruins have also found themselves in somewhat of a goal-scoring drought. Over their last nine games, Boston has failed to register more than three goals in a contest. When they have been scoring, it’s consistently come off the stick of Morgan Geekie (nine goals in as many games).
With the offense sputtering and injuries still rearing their ugly head, the time for the young forward to prove his mettle is quickly approaching. As the old saying goes, perhaps it’s time to strike while the iron is hot. Lysell is playing the best hockey of his Bruins career, his confidence is at an all-time high, and the team needs more high-end scoring talent.
If now isn’t the right time to give Lysell a chance at impacting the roster, I don’t know when else it’ll be. Whether he has a long-term future with the organization or not, Lysell has upheld his end of the bargain. Now it’s time for management to maximize their asset and give their skater the opportunity to show what he can do.
The Bruins will be on the road tonight and will return to TD Garden for a matchup against the St. Louis Blues. If you are interested in watching the Bruins live, or need a great gift idea for the upcoming holiday season, please check out our StubHub Ticket-affiliated link HERE for the most competitive concert and sporting event tickets in the North American region.
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