If there is just one young prospect that most casual and not-so-casual draft fanatics will be jumping for joy if their team snags him in the mid-to-late first round, it would be Fabian Lysell.
After a year bouncing between the Swedish junior league and the Swedish Hockey League, Lysell found himself of a Luleå HF team full of former NHL players (most notably former Philadelphia Flyer Erik Gustafsson, the other one) and a couple NHL Draft hopefuls. Due to the older, more experienced roster, the teenager wasn’t able to get a ton of ice-time and that can certainly explain his low point totals. Averaging just over seven minutes a game, Lysell was just there for the experience, and was able to flex his playmaking at the lower level, notching up 10 assists in just 11 games with the junior squad.
Lack of minutes aside, Lysell has been able to display some incredible ability overseas and is one to look out for on July 23.
BSH 2021 Community Draft Board, No. 14: Fabian Lysell
2020-21 Season:
Team: Frolunda U20 (J20 Nationell)
Statistics: 3 G, 10 A in 11 GP
Team: Lulea HC (SHL)
Statistics: 2 G, 1 A in 26 GP
Pre-Draft Rankings
No. 9 by NHL Central Scouting (EU Skaters)
No. 7 by Elite Prospects
No. 10 by FCHockey
No. 12 by TSN
What’s there to like?
A Swedish winger built upon piles of raw talent, Lysell dazzles observers with his stickhandling and slick skating, keeping defenders at bay and stunned as he swerves his way through the neutral zone, creating scoring chances for his teammates. He just feels like a steal waiting to happen.
WHAT A GOAL! #U18Worlds
🇸🇪 Fabian Lysell (#2021NHLDraft) is DISGUSTING. Torches the American defense and finishes it off on the wraparound. WOW. 2-1 Sweden.https://t.co/5SF9zTKBq5 pic.twitter.com/cVAcobZii6
— Eliteprospects (@eliteprospects) May 4, 2021
Some team like the Carolina Hurricanes — or maybe your Philadelphia Flyers if they like him enough — is going to snatch him up and we’re going to look back to wonder just how teams valued him lower than others. Just the vibe after doing it so many damn times. He certainly won’t blast off the draft board in terms of size — Lysell is listed at 5-foot-10 and 172 lbs. — but he has all the ability to overcome any physical deficit to still overwhelm an opposition.
Fabian Lysell with another gorgeous assist! Finds Dower-Nilsson for the one-timer to take the lead after a slow start! #WorldU18s #2021NHLDraft
Simon Edvinsson gets an assist as well. Still not looking 100%, moving a bit gingerly. pic.twitter.com/2yQsOxfZzW
— Tony Ferrari (@theTonyFerrari) April 29, 2021
Whether it’s his insane ability to change pace or blast down the wing using his north-south speed, Lysell is a joy to watch and I’m sure any fan base will be loving getting those grainy clips on Twitter of his work overseas.
Fabian Lysell loses the puck as get tries to get by the defender but then strips it back and makes a great jump cut to the outside.
He’s been the best player on the ice, far and away. #U18Worlds #2021NHLDraft pic.twitter.com/C7DCojifHV
— Tony Ferrari (@theTonyFerrari) April 29, 2021
Even when it comes to the other side of the puck, most draft analysts are saying that Lysell isn’t scared of snatching possession away from any opposing player, whether it’s a sneaky strip or trying to separate the player from the puck, he plays bigger than he actually is.
What’s not to like?
With any ultra-offensive prospect, comes the criticism that at times, Lysell just tries to do too much. Whether it is over-confidence or just not trusting his teammates to finish any scoring chances he creates, the teenaged winger bursts into the offensive zone and just hopes that someone will be there with him. As crazy as it looks, he could possibly use with some slowing down and more thought-out plays than trying to act on instinct in the offensive zone.
Just chill out Fabian and you can do wonders.
How would he fit in the Flyers’ system?
For a team that has a handful of offensively-minded forward prospects, I doubt anyone can really move like Lysell. Full of either extremely hardworking wingers or players that can shoot the hell out of a puck, the Flyers’ pipeline lacks that dynamic winger that can simply dazzle the way they move on the ice.
That being said, I do believe he can fit in with the current crop. They can really use anyone willing to be creative.
Could the Flyers actually get him?
The best part is: they actually can.
With the No. 13 pick the year, that’s extremely in the range to get your hands on Lysell. Some teams might fall in love with his highlights and select him, but the Flyers are nestled in that comfort zone that it wouldn’t be too early to grab him and some might even say he dropped.
Already, you’re seeing fans of teams around that mid-first round clamor for Lysell — marching on the doorsteps of management, demanding the Swedish winger be pictured wearing their jersey making a goofy smile for a memorable draft portrait. Maybe it will be Chuck Fletcher that can say “from the SHL” loudly into the microphone, and hopefully Philadelphia’s scouting staff sees what most see in Lysell and believe he can help this team get out of mediocrity.
We’ll also make on addition to the poll:
Oskar Olausson — LW/RW, HV71 (SHL)
Inside the offensive zone, he’s more of a shooter than a passer. He can make good plays and does so with pace, but the main offensive threat he has is his shot and ability to finish from range. Olausson works fine off the puck, he’ll get back defensively but he’s not overly physical and can play on the perimeter too much. In a sentence, Olausson projects as a middle-six NHL winger due to his speed, skill and shot but may frustrate coaches too. – Corey Pronman, The Athletic
Who should be 15th on the draft board?
| Carson Lambos | 25 |
| Matthew Coronato | 23 |
| Sasha Pastujov | 18 |
| Oskar Olausson | 12 |
2021 BSH Community Draft Board
- Owen Power — D, University of Michigan (NCAA)
- Matthew Beniers — C, University of Michigan (NCAA)
- Brandt Clarke — D, Nove Zamky (Slovakia)
- Dylan Guenther — LW/RW, Edmonton (WHL)
- William Eklund — C/LW, Djurgårdens IF (SHL)
- Luke Hughes — D, US NTDP (USHL) and US National U18 (USDP)
- Simon Edvinsson — D, Frölunda HC J20 / J20 Nationell – 21/22
- Kent Johnson — D, University of Michigan (NCAA)
- Aatu Räty — C, Kärpät U20 and Kärpät (Liiga)
- Jesper Wallstedt — G, Luleå (SHL)
- Mason McTavish — C, EHC Olten (SL)
- Cole Sillinger — C/LW, Sioux (USHL)
- Chaz Lucius — C, US NTDP (USHL) and US National U18 (USDP)
- Fabian Lysell — LW/RW, Luleå HF (SHL)
