Boston Bruins 24-25 Roster/Cap thread XX


Fabian Lysell hasn’t had much time to stake his claim to an NHL roster spot.

Despite his standing as a 2021 first-round pick and profile of a scoring threat, Lysell has logged only one NHL game since signing his entry-level deal in August 2021.

On Dec. 28, 2024, Lysell jump-started the opening goal against the Blue Jackets, using his skating ability to recover a skittering puck along the boards and gain possession in the offensive zone.
He wasn’t credited with an assist in the subsequent low-to-high sequence that ended with a Justin Brazeau rebound tally, but it was an encouraging result.

The following day, Lysell was reassigned to Providence, spending another 25 games in the AHL.

“Obviously you want to stick around, of course,” Lysell said Tuesday at Warrior Arena. “Like you said, I thought I played pretty good, but that’s how it is. Now I’m back.”

Lysell was candid about the frustrations, but interim coach Joe Sacco noted that the 22-year-old forward has made strides of late.

“The reports from Providence are all positive as far as his game down there, and not just offensively but his 200-foot game — his play away from the puck, his ability to stay on pucks, things that we need to see from some of the young players,” Sacco said. “So I think it’s good that he’s getting an opportunity, and at some point we’ll see him in the lineup here.”

The case can be made that Lysell has been overcooked — logging 161 games (121 points) across three seasons in Providence.

Ironing out the details of Lysell’s game has long been a sticking point in the Swede’s development, while a lackluster training camp last fall and a dip in production this season in Providence (11 goals, 34 points in 51 games) didn’t earn the playmaker an earlier call-up.

But as the Bruins’ playoff chances continue to dwindle, now stands as the ideal window to take stock of the next wave of talent.


Much like how the Bruins have seen promise in Marat Khusnutdinov’s high motor, Casey Mittelstadt’s playmaking touch, and Henri Jokiharju’s puck-moving capabilities, they would be well-served to see if Lysell has more to offer over these final four weeks of the regular season.

The jury might still be out on whether Lysell has the mettle to be a regular NHLer, but his straight-line speed and slick hands could complement a center such as Elias Lindholm or Mittelstadt.

“I’ll go out there and try and play my game,” Lysell said. “I feel good about my game right now. Hopefully, I can contribute out there whenever I get that opportunity to play.”
 
Good move bringing Lysell up. Over 150 AHL games and he turn 23 in the middle of next season. It’s time. Might as well give him an extended look in a low pressure environment and see what he can do.

There were rumors the Bruins shopped him at the deadline and didn’t get much interest. Best case scenario is that he figures it out over this final stretch of the season and makes the roster next season and contributes.
 

Emerging voice​

It was less than two years ago that Morgan Geekie signed a two-year, $4 million contract with the Bruins.

But with the team undergoing significant turnover, the 26-year-old has suddenly become one of the elder statesmen.

On the active roster, only David Pastrnak (743) and Pavel Zacha (229) have logged more games in Black and Gold than Geekie (140).

Beyond deadline decisions to deal captain Brad Marchand, Charlie Coyle, and Brandon Carlo, injuries to defensive stalwarts Charlie McAvoy (504 games with the Bruins) and Hampus Lindholm (180) have further sapped the stability and leadership.

Geekie has his own future to chart out this summer as a pending restricted free agent, although his chemistry with Pastrnak and the decision to keep him out of the deadline fire sale signals that the Bruins ideally view him as a key cog moving forward.

“I think I’m just trying to fill in the gaps, do what I can — lead in my own way, per se, and just try to be someone that people can talk to … We’ve got a lot of great leaders in this room and some guys that are out. But we’re not trying to be short-sighted by any means,” Geekie said. “We want to finish the year off strong. But big picture, I think relationships start now, and if you can keep growing those things, I think it’ll help down the road.”
 
Good move bringing Lysell up. Over 150 AHL games and he turn 23 in the middle of next season. It’s time. Might as well give him an extended look in a low pressure environment and see what he can do.

There were rumors the Bruins shopped him at the deadline and didn’t get much interest. Best case scenario is that he figures it out over this final stretch of the season and makes the roster next season and contributes.
Never heard of rumors shopping him - don’t doubt but missed them

Is there a link from someone atleast slightly reputable
 
Based on the press release it was an emergency recall, so I wouldn't assume that he is suddenly going to get an extended look at the NHL level, but maybe he will. They would still need to make him an official call up if they wanted to keep him in the NHL level
 
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Hopefully Lysell plays last 13 games

Brown, Lettieri, Mitchell etc are here to do their part they will be replaced next season my McAvoy, Hampus, Brad, a UFA F and 2 or 3 of kids.

We need to see him now
 
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My question is who does he play with?
Would his speed work better with Mittelstadt? I assume he will play RW. Would adding Khusnutdinov on the left provide will too much speed and not enough defensive play? I think this is how they should go. The reason for the call up was that Fabian is playing a better 200 foot game. Let’s see it with other players who have engines that fly like his.

Geekie - Zacha - Pasta
Khusnutdinov - Mittelstadt - Lysell
Koepke - Lindholm - Lettieri
Lauko - Kastelic - Brown
Beecher

Looking at this lineup - it has to be good for a top 10 pick.
Geez…
 
Quite a bit of realistic talk about Boeser in the past 24 hours. Seravalli mentioned on “Canucks Central” how they think he’s closer to low to mid 40mil on the next contract, not 56…

Also saidhow unless you can drive a line, you shouldn’t be asking for anything near 8mil, and that he should be looking closer to 6, which I mostly agree with. Last year he obviously looked closer to the former at 40 goals, but this year that whole team has been dragged down with the drama, and is returning to his career average. With JDB making 5.5 on his new contract, over a million less than Boeser on hiscurrent contract, I’m curious if Boeser even hits hit 7mil this summer.

Despite me not wanting to bring in more former Canucks, I think for less than 7, he would be a solid winger for Mittelstadt, Poitras, Zacha to put up 24-28 goals coming in a good bit cheaper than Ehlers. Just makes me angry about JDB though, especially for 5.5mil and not capitalizing on his departure.
 

The thing about tanking for a better draft pick this year....

From everything I have seen and read, the top-4 this year is really good, and then the drop-off in talent from #4 to #5 is probabably greater than the drop from #5 to the early teens. So yeah, you WANT as high of a pick as possible...but to guarantee a top 4 pick you need to finish 3rd worst in the league.

Nashville and Buffalo are fighting it out for that 3rd worst spot right now, with it looking like it will be about 70 or 71 points. The bruins would have to lose 11 or 12 of their last 13 to have a shot.
 
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The thing about tanking for a better draft pick this year....

From everything I have seen and read, the top-4 this year is really good, and then the drop-off in talent from #4 to #5 is probabably greater than the drop from #5 to the early teens. So yeah, you WANT as high of a pick as possible...but to guarantee a top 4 pick you need to finish 3rd worst in the league.

Nashville and Buffalo are fighting it out for that 3rd worst spot right now, with it looking like it will be about 70 or 71 points. The bruins would have to lose 11 or 12 of their last 13 to have a shot.
My impression is that there's a plateau at 1-4 (Schaefer, Misa, Hagens, Martone), then one at 4-8 (Desnoyers, Frondell, Eklund, Smith), then 1 or 2 guys with issues (McQueen), and 1 or 2 guys in between (O'Brien), then a hard drop off. I don't think they get into the top 4 unless they win the lottery. Top 8 still gets them a good player. 9-10-11 is a maybe and beyond that would suck. They need to put some regulation L's on the board in this road trip, and hopefully in Anaheim.
 
The thing about tanking for a better draft pick this year....

From everything I have seen and read, the top-4 this year is really good, and then the drop-off in talent from #4 to #5 is probabably greater than the drop from #5 to the early teens. So yeah, you WANT as high of a pick as possible...but to guarantee a top 4 pick you need to finish 3rd worst in the league.

Nashville and Buffalo are fighting it out for that 3rd worst spot right now, with it looking like it will be about 70 or 71 points. The bruins would have to lose 11 or 12 of their last 13 to have a shot.
Whatever they get in the first round, and in the top 10, I'll take. Preferably, of course, a potential number one center.

It's all good as far as the eye can see.

I hope.
 
My impression is that there's a plateau at 1-4 (Schaefer, Misa, Hagens, Martone), then one at 4-8 (Desnoyers, Frondell, Eklund, Smith), then 1 or 2 guys with issues (McQueen), and 1 or 2 guys in between (O'Brien), then a hard drop off. I don't think they get into the top 4 unless they win the lottery. Top 8 still gets them a good player. 9-10-11 is a maybe and beyond that would suck. They need to put some regulation L's on the board in this road trip, and hopefully in Anaheim.


Unless they end up in the top 6 by lottery or by standings (both unlikely) I’m leaning towards seeing what it would take to move up in the draft, or trade down. Bad draft years are bad draft years, plain and simple. That talent dropoff is not to be messed with… if there are options out there to improve your pick position, or improve your current roster by swapping/selling your first, it’s worth considering at the least. Many will hate me for saying trade out of the top 10, but look at the dismal 2018 draft and how the top 20 turned out. What if you could grab Zary from the flames, or package Poitras with this years pick to a cash strapped team that can trade a young top wing/center? Nothing would be more demoralizing than getting O’Brien and him turning out as a bust, improving nothing in the system. 2015 draft would like to have a word…

IMG_1341.jpeg
 
Unless they end up in the top 6 by lottery or by standings (both unlikely) I’m leaning towards seeing what it would take to move up in the draft, or trade down. Bad draft years are bad draft years, plain and simple. That talent dropoff is not to be messed with… if there are options out there to improve your pick position, or improve your current roster by swapping/selling your first, it’s worth considering at the least. Many will hate me for saying trade out of the top 10, but look at the dismal 2018 draft and how the top 20 turned out. What if you could grab Zary from the flames, or package Poitras with this years pick to a cash strapped team that can trade a young top wing/center? Nothing would be more demoralizing than getting O’Brien and him turning out as a bust, improving nothing in the system. 2015 draft would like to have a word…
I'm in favor of trading the pick but if there's not a player on the board to be excited about, no one's going to be excited about trading for it. They really need to get in the top 8 at the very least.
 

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