Scott Wheeler of The Athletic has ranked the Top 100 NHL prospects for the 2024-25 season, placing Boston Bruins’ forward Fabian Lysell at number 88. Lysell, a 2021 first-round draft pick, remains Boston’s top prospect after a productive season with the Providence Bruins, where he recorded 15 goals and 35 assists. Notably, Lysell’s improved defensive play has garnered praise from Providence Head Coach Ryan Mougenel, creating optimism as training camp approaches.
Fabian Lysell Stats & Salary Cap
Wheeler ranks Lysell 88th, highlighting his exceptional skating and puck-handling skills. Wheeler notes, “He’s a free-flowing skater with rare top speed and agility with the puck on his stick, often getting faster with it. He’s versatile, capable of executing end-to-end rushes, navigating through coverage, and using his lateral cuts and hands to outmaneuver defenders. He can also exploit his high-end speed and quick changes of pace, with effective directional changes. While his shot isn’t extremely powerful, it’s deceptive and accurate.”
The Bruins’ prospect pool has been among the NHL’s weakest in recent years and has further diminished with Mason Lohrei, Matt Poitras, and John Beecher advancing to the NHL. Lysell, 21, and center Georgii Merkulov, 24, are now leading Boston’s next wave of young talent. Beyond them, the talent pool is thin. The Bruins, focused on winning another Stanley Cup, have traded away multiple first-round picks in recent years. However, they reacquired a first-round pick in the 2024 NHL Draft and selected 6-foot-7 center Dean Letourneau.
Rebuilding Boston’s farm system will take time. Lysell and Merkulov are expected to compete for roster spots this fall, which will further deplete the Bruins’ already shallow pool of young players.
