Ask fans, and you’ll find an uneven split. Some feel Lysell has been given a fair shake, while others are frustrated with management for failing to give their young talent a real shot—especially after last season’s trade deadline teardown, when the team seemed primed for a youth movement.
Last week, I noted that the Edmonton Oilers had asked the Bruins about Fabian Lysell. That small detail quickly took on a life of its own—spreading across social media and bleeding into mainstream outlets, sparking all kinds of trade chatter. Some even speculated that Matthew Savoie or other Oilers prospects could be part of a potential return. It didn’t take long for voices on the Oilers media side to surface and shoot down those rumors.
Just to set the record straight: that speculation didn’t come from me. The reality is, the Bruins and Oilers could’ve been engaged in any number of conversations, and at some point, Lysell’s name may have come up. That kind of inquiry doesn’t guarantee a deal—it might spark further talks, or it might go nowhere. Still, the fact they asked suggests there’s at least some level of interest.
Naturally, I’ve been asked to name my source—but I won’t put anyone in that position. What I can say is this: the information comes from a trusted friend and former business associate with enough standing inside the Oilers organization to be well-informed on the matter.
This leads to today’s discussion: Has Lysell been given a fair opportunity with the Bruins? Let’s go back to the beginning.
On June 29, 2020, the Vancouver Giants selected Lysell with the 30th overall pick in the CHL Import Draft. A year later, the Boston Bruins made him their first-round choice, taking him 21st overall in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft. Shortly after, on August 9, 2021, the Bruins signed Lysell to a three-year entry-level contract and loaned him back to the Giants for the 2021–22 season. Because he signed at age 18, his contract was eligible to slide for up to two years—unless he appeared in 10 NHL games.
Lysell’s season with the Vancouver Giants was a standout from an offensive standpoint. He tallied 22 goals and 40 assists over 53 regular-season games, then elevated his play in the postseason with 4 goals and 17 assists in just 12 appearances. While his offensive production was undeniably impressive, it became clear that he still needed development to fit the mold of a “Bruins-style” player. Whether that archetype remains relevant in today’s game is a debate best saved for another time.
In the summer of 2022, I advocated for Lysell to return to the WHL for another season—a stance that, unsurprisingly, drew pushback from passionate Bruins fans. Ultimately, the organization took a different view, opting to place Lysell in the AHL, signaling their belief that he was ready for the next step in his development.
Lysell recorded 14 goals and 23 assists over 54 games in his first AHL season, but also posted a career-worst minus-12 rating. It was during the World Junior Championships, however, that concerns about his overall game became harder to ignore. The issue wasn’t his lack of production—going pointless in seven games—but rather his noticeable lack of defensive engagement. When I pointed that out, it once again stirred backlash from Bruins fans on social media.
The 2023–24 campaign marked his most productive AHL season yet, tallying 15 goals and 35 assists over 56 games. It appeared he was finally rounding into form. However, this past season saw a dip in output, with 11 goals and 23 assists across 52 games. On the bright side, he earned a 12-game stint with the NHL squad following the trade deadline, registering one goal and two assists—all of which came in his final four appearances. His postseason performance in the AHL was less encouraging, managing just two assists in seven games. Through 11 career playoff games at that level, he’s still searching for his first goal
For me, this isn’t about whether Lysell has been given a fair shot by the Bruins. The real issue is trying to mold a player with his unique skill set into something he’s not. At face value, it seems like that’s exactly what the Bruins are attempting. Whether it’s Loke Johansson being sent to Moncton Wildcats (QMJHL) with a checklist of things to fix, or Matthew Poitras landing in Providence with a development plan in hand, the key isn’t just identifying areas for growth—it’s making sure these players are placed in environments where they can actually thrive.
Lysell possesses high caliber offensive tools, particularly his skating, which stands out as singular within the organization. However, his deployment in both Providence and Boston raises questions about developmental strategy. In Providence, he has not consistently been placed in high-leverage offensive roles that would maximize his scoring potential. Similarly, his usage in Boston has not reflected a commitment to testing his ceiling in favorable conditions.
This leads to a critical evaluation point: given his raw offensive talent, it is essential to assess whether Lysell can produce at a rate that compensates for any defensive shortcomings. Without placing him in situations designed to optimize output—such as top-six minutes, power play opportunities, and offensive zone starts—the organization risks missing a key data point in his progression: can he outscore his mistakes?
Consider a few data points: In Boston, Lysell ranked 16th in average power play time on ice (TOI), trailing players such as Ian Mitchell, Vinni Lettieri, Marat Khusnutdinov, and Georgii Merkulov—none of whom possess the offensive acumen Lysell does. Additionally, Lysell received offensive zone starts at a rate of 56.0%. For context, Oliver Wahlstrom—another player the Bruins were actively trying to unlock offensively and lacks Lysell’s offensive flair—was given 61.0%. These deployment patterns suggest a relatively conservative approach to Lysell’s usage, which may have limited opportunities to fully evaluate his offensive ceiling.
Ty Anderson of 98.5 The Sports Hub has spoken extensively about this issue on the Sports Hub Underground podcast (11:23 mark). In episodes like “The Ceiling” and “They’re Doing It Again,” he and Matt Dolloff dissect how the Bruins’ deployment choices reflect broader organizational tendencies—often favoring veterans or low-risk options over giving young talent meaningful runway to develop. Anderson has pointed out that Boston’s handling of development camp and free agency sends mixed signals about their long-term strategy, especially when promising players are buried in the depth chart or given limited roles.
IF the Bruins are willing to part with Lysell, what is his worth? I know a lot of names are being thrown out there from the Oilers and again, none of them came from me. If you ask around hockey circles, opinions vary. Said one AHL executive to me, “I don’t know what to make of it. I don’t think he’s in the best situations to fully evaluate.” Another said “What you see is what you get. I don’t think he could ever play up to his ceiling.”
At this point, I would put him in the best offensive positions for an extended period of time and let him loose. Now is the time to sink or swim for him. That may be the greatest value to the Bruins at this point.
Dom - Hockey 