BlackFrancis
Athletic Supporter Patch Partner
- Dec 14, 2013
- 5,957
- 9,567
Wheeler @ the Athletic
Wheeler has young Fabian at 88 in his top 100 drafted prospects list. From the text, it surprisingly appears he's seen him play, unlike several unnamed posters on this board.
When Lysell turned pro, there were concerns about whether he would be able to use all of his speed to get to the guts of the ice in control (he has always done a good job hunting pucks without it) or funnel too often to the perimeter. He has done a good job figuring his way through that over the last two seasons in the AHL, though (despite a disappointing performance at the 2023 world juniors).
I don’t think he has played shy or drifted all that much in the AHL. He has done a good job of entering through the middle and then going to the slot/the front of the net. And when there have been opportunities to attack, he has played with intention instead of hesitation and has gone directly at pro defenders. He can be hard to trap on the perimeter and slippery losing guys with cut-backs. Off the puck, he’s got a great ability to get to pucks and keep sequences alive with his speed. On it, he’s fun to watch carry it up ice and can weave around defenders pretty effortlessly when he’s feeling it. When Lysell plays fearless and confident and makes quick decisions, he’s a joy to watch.
He’s a free-flowing skater who has rare top speed and agility with the puck on his stick (one of those players who seems to get faster with the puck on his stick). He’s not a one-trick pony, either. The highlight pack is about the end-to-end rushes and the dashes through holes in coverage, for sure. But he can also dance a defender by pulling pucks through his wide stance and across his body to beat them with not just a lateral cut but his hands. And he can dance defenders to the outside with his high-end top speed or a quick change of pace. He’s got cuts, stops and starts, and directional changes. While his shot isn’t powerful per se, it’s deceptive off the blade and accurate.
When he pushes through contact and keeps his feet moving, he can draw a lot of penalties with his skating as well. He’s also chippier than you might expect. I do wonder if he could be a useful penalty killer with the right coach because of his skating as well. While he’s not a physical player, he’s a puck thief off of back pressure.
I do still think he can come and go in games and try to do too much (there’s a little too much one-and-done to his games when he flies into the zone and takes long shots in transition or overhandles the puck), and his body language isn’t great when he’s not playing well, but he’s got some upside.
Wheeler has young Fabian at 88 in his top 100 drafted prospects list. From the text, it surprisingly appears he's seen him play, unlike several unnamed posters on this board.
When Lysell turned pro, there were concerns about whether he would be able to use all of his speed to get to the guts of the ice in control (he has always done a good job hunting pucks without it) or funnel too often to the perimeter. He has done a good job figuring his way through that over the last two seasons in the AHL, though (despite a disappointing performance at the 2023 world juniors).
I don’t think he has played shy or drifted all that much in the AHL. He has done a good job of entering through the middle and then going to the slot/the front of the net. And when there have been opportunities to attack, he has played with intention instead of hesitation and has gone directly at pro defenders. He can be hard to trap on the perimeter and slippery losing guys with cut-backs. Off the puck, he’s got a great ability to get to pucks and keep sequences alive with his speed. On it, he’s fun to watch carry it up ice and can weave around defenders pretty effortlessly when he’s feeling it. When Lysell plays fearless and confident and makes quick decisions, he’s a joy to watch.
He’s a free-flowing skater who has rare top speed and agility with the puck on his stick (one of those players who seems to get faster with the puck on his stick). He’s not a one-trick pony, either. The highlight pack is about the end-to-end rushes and the dashes through holes in coverage, for sure. But he can also dance a defender by pulling pucks through his wide stance and across his body to beat them with not just a lateral cut but his hands. And he can dance defenders to the outside with his high-end top speed or a quick change of pace. He’s got cuts, stops and starts, and directional changes. While his shot isn’t powerful per se, it’s deceptive off the blade and accurate.
When he pushes through contact and keeps his feet moving, he can draw a lot of penalties with his skating as well. He’s also chippier than you might expect. I do wonder if he could be a useful penalty killer with the right coach because of his skating as well. While he’s not a physical player, he’s a puck thief off of back pressure.
I do still think he can come and go in games and try to do too much (there’s a little too much one-and-done to his games when he flies into the zone and takes long shots in transition or overhandles the puck), and his body language isn’t great when he’s not playing well, but he’s got some upside.
