Bruins inject some much-needed skill into their prospect pool in Fabian Lysell

When it comes to stocking its prospect pool over the last few seasons, the Bruins have … followed a familiar script.

Even though the Bruins have only selected in the first round twice over the last four seasons, the Original Six franchise has had a knack for targeting A) - American-born prospects and B) - two-way talents with solid floors as NHL pros, but questionable ceilings as franchise game-changers at the next level. 

But in 2021, it sure seems like the Bruins got the memo when it comes to adding some high-end skill into the mix.

With 21st pick in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft (technically the 20th pick after the Coyotes had to forfeit the 11th overall selection), the Bruins selected right wing Fabian Lysell out of Lulea in the Swedish Hockey League. 

Unlike other prospects in which we’d have to harp on intangibles or perhaps some of the less-riveting strengths of said player like on-ice awareness, making reads and defensive capabilities — it’s very, very easy to spot why Lysell is a first-round talent.

The 18-year-old forward is an offensive dynamo, earning praise from multiple scouting outlets for his skating ability and slick hands. 

After occasionally going off the board with selections (such as Mason Lohrei in 2020), the Bruins arguably snagged Lysell at a spot that most scouts didn’t think he’d fall to — with the winger listed as the No. 14 overall prospect by TSN (Bob McKenzie) and as high as No. 3 overall by DobberProspects. 

Compared by some scouts as a right-shot Nikolaj Ehlers, Lysell is a dynamic offensive force that can easily put defenders on their heels and can make something out of nothing in a hurry. He’s certainly a breath of fresh air in a Bruins’ system that could use an electric scorer added to its ranks.

“I think we do identify with the skill and the game-breaking ability,” Don Sweeney said. “He’s got speed, he can shoot the puck. We’ll go down and watch him live at the U18s. You saw the pockets of high-end ability. Again, now there’s details and things that all young players have to learn and assimilate with the North American style. But he has attributes that I think we identified the Boston Bruins need as much of as we possibly can. Scoring and skills are hard to find and Fabian has a lot of those attributes."  

While he arguably has top-10 potential based on skill alone, the 2021 campaign was a bit up and down for the winger, especially after making the jump up to the SHL — in which he was playing against competition 10+ years older than him. 

As such, his numbers with Lulea may not exactly jump off the page (two goals, three points in 26 games), but it’s to be expected from a teenager hitting the first speed bumps on their developmental track against older competition. 

When matched up against players more in line with his age, Lysell impressed — posting 13 points over 11 games against J20 competition in Sweden and tallying nine points over seven games during the 2021 World Juniors. 

Like most overseas prospects, Lysell will need to adjust his game when he makes the switch over to the tougher competition and smaller rinks in North America — with the top priority for the 5-foot-10 winger this season likely involving more time in the weight room. 

“I think what I’m trying to work on right now is my strength," Lysell said. "That’s something that I’ve been working on a lot in the summer. On the ice, I try to work on the puck protection to create separation for myself better and control the pace a bit more at times. Then obviously, still trying to work on my strength. I feel like that’s the thing that separates yourself from others. Those areas are something I’m trying to work on. "

Along with building some muscle and the potential growing pains that come with making the switch to hockey in the U.S., Lysell was also tabbed by some scouts as having vague “character concerns” which might have impacted his stock.

Sweeney downplayed such concerns when speaking to the media. 

"No. Obviously, we have a player that played a long time with the Boston Bruins in P.J. Axelsson that is in Sweden. Was in the hometown of the player,” Sweeney said. “Fabian had originally played for Lulea. There’s growing up to be done for all young men and women and Fabian is no different in that regard. He’s made some real steps. 

“We challenged him in all the interview process in terms of how his maturity and such was progressing and felt satisfied that, again, he’s made a lot of strides from growing into a young man and beyond. We’re aware of the challenges that he’s presented in certain situations that he might not have handled as well as he could, and he’s grown from it and will be a better person overall, from it.”

As far as next steps, Lysell hopes to attend the Bruins’ Development Camp — set to be held at Warrior Ice Arena during the first week of August — and begin to work on some of the finer details of his game. 

He’s still quite a few years away from making the jump up to Boston, but Lysell is the type of prospect that fans should be very excited to watch develop within the system. 

“Boston is one of the better teams in the NHL,” Lysell said. “They have super good guys like [David] Pastrnak and [Patrice] Bergeron, those guys that I tend to watch a lot. Watching highlights and stuff. I think just from watching them, I know a few things about the team. I’ve heard great things about the city as well. As I said before, I think this is just a dream come true for me. Hopefully I can work hard to play there one day, and that’s my main goal right now.”