Lysell was called up from AHL Providence on Tuesday along with defenseman Michael Callahan.
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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.”