Don Sweeney explains why the Bruins cut Fabian Lysell from camp
The Boston Bruins’ top offensive prospect is back to the minors. Again.
Fabian Lysell started training camp practicing next to center Charlie Coyle, projected to open the season as Boston’s No. 2 right wing in his first career NHL action. But now it appears Lysell may have to continue developing, because the Bruins have reassigned him to Providence.
The move is a tad surprising at this stage, not just because of Lysell’s status at the beginning of camp, but because the big B’s still have three preseason games to go. However, when Bruins GM Don Sweeney spoke to the media on Monday at TD Garden, he hinted that Lysell’s demotion to the minors isn’t necessarily a long-term move.
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“I referenced the camp is not over with, in all likelihood we’re going to evaluate after [Tuesday] night’s game, what the lineup looks like for Thursday and there will be several players that will come back and play whether that’s Thursday or Saturday,” Sweeney said, when asked specifically about Lysell. “So camp is not over. The evaluation process really never ends.”
Sweeney went on to explain, in so many words, that Lysell, while undeniably talented, still has some smaller details of his game to work on before they feel confident about deploying him at the NHL level. That would be especially important for him if he were to play next to Coyle and Brad Marchand, because he would have a number of different responsibilities at both ends of the ice and be used in critical matchups.
“There’s the evaluation side of it,” Sweeney said. “The consistency piece, everybody sees the skill set that Fabian has, and we’re excited about it. Now we continue to allow him to fill in the gaps in terms of building a team game that Monty feels is a big part of what the Bruins to have success is, and all young players go through that process. But he’ll get another opportunity, and hopefully he takes advantage of it.”
“Added” Montgomery: “I don’t think there’s much more to add than what Don said about the whole situation.”
Lysell said two weeks ago, early in camp, that he wanted to show his “growth over these past two years with Providence, both sides of the puck, defensive and offensive,” and prove himself as a “more responsible player.” If he does indeed stay in Providence to start the regular season, the team clearly still hasn’t seen enough from him in that department.
Lysell did score a goal in a preseason win over the Capitals, and the Bruins do need to find more scoring, which is probably why they gave him a big opportunity at the start of camp in the first place. The B’s may flat-out need that skill at some point, especially if they languish in goal with Jeremy Swayman still unsigned.
It’s worth noting that Lysell is still 21 years old, and will turn 22 in January. But it’s certainly not unheard-of for players to play regularly in the NHL soon after they’re legally allowed to purchase alcohol. The Bruins are historically patient with their prospects, almost to a fault, and they’ll have to hope that keeping a player of Lysell’s skill level in Providence won’t hurt them on the scoresheet.
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But through all this, Sweeney sounded open to the idea of bringing Lysell back up, even before the end of camp. Still, it would only make the decision to send him down all the more curious.
Matt Dolloff is a writer and digital content producer for 98.5 The Sports Hub. Read all of his articles here.
Bruins slice camp roster in half with massive round of cuts
- Up front, the Bruins decided to send 2021 first-round pick Fabian Lysell down to Providence. The talk of the offseason, especially when it came to a vacant ‘RW2’ spot that was intentionally left unaddressed by the club, Lysell started slow this preseason, but appeared to pick things up with a goal and a penalty drawn in his second outing. Lysell also got the call in Saturday’s overtime loss in Philadelphia, and appeared to show some definite progress when it came to his on-ice vision and adapting to pro tendencies. But it was not enough for Lysell to warrant a longer look this preseason, even with another three games left on the warm-up slate, with Lysell sent to the AHL once again. In three games this preseason, the 21-year-old Lysell recorded one goal and four shots on goal. Lysell was also tied for the third-most individual scoring chances for (all strengths, with five, according to NaturalStatTrick. One definite complaint you can have about Lysell this preseason is that the Black and Gold didn’t really seem to get him involved with NHL-level talent beyond the opening days, with Lysell’s final preseason appearance coming on what was a third-line look with Johnny Beecher and Patrick Brown.
Sep 24, 2023; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Bruins right wing Fabian Lysell (23) blocks a pass during the third period against the New York Rangers at TD Garden. (Eric Canha/USA TODAY Sports)
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS – JANUARY 04: Georgii Merkulov #42 of the Boston Bruins takes a shot against the Pittsburgh Penguins during the first period at TD Garden on January 04, 2024. (Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
Along with Lysell, the Bruins also sent Georgii Merkulov, another player who was considered a potential favorite (among young players anyway) to make the NHL jump, back down to the AHL.
Merkulov’s demotion comes with the Russian-born forward tied for the team lead with two points (both assists) through three games this preseason. For Merkulov, who was at one point in camp lauded by Bruins head coach Jim Montgomery for his practice habits and efforts, the best play of the preseason came on a slick backhand dish to Justin Brazeau for a goal in last Tuesday’s preseason win over the Capitals at TD Garden.
In addition to the points, Merkulov was credited with three hits, a blocked shot, and won 14 of 30 faceoffs throughout his three-game preseason run with the club.
Sep 26, 2023; Buffalo, New York, USA; Boston Bruins center Trevor Kuntar (52) deflects a shot on Buffalo Sabres goaltender Devon Levi (27) during the first period at KeyBank Center. (Timothy T. Ludwig/USA TODAY Sports)
Elsewhere up front, the Bruins also reassigned forwards Joey Abate, Riley Duran, Brett Harrison, Trevor Kuntar, Adam Mechura, and Jaxon Nelson to AHL Providence. Both Harrison (Thursday in NY) and Kuntar (last Sunday against the Rangers) found the back of the net during their preseason runs with the Bruins.
One notable when it came to this round of cuts is that Tyler Johnson, who is with the Bruins on a pro tryout, remains with the NHL club here beyond the halfway point of the preseason slate.
Sep 24, 2023; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Bruins defenseman Michael Callahan (79) checks a shot by New York Rangers center Jake Leschyshyn (15) during the second period at TD Garden. (Eric Canha/USA TODAY Sports)
On the point, the Bruins went with some definite expected cuts, with Drew Bavaro, Frederic Brunet, Michael Callahan, Jackson Edward, Ryan Mast, and Mason Millman all assigned to Providence for the opening of P-Bruins camp. Nobody in this group was expected to compete for NHL minutes with the Bruins out of the gate.
In fact, this appears to be a case of the Black and Gold going with the path of least resistance when it comes to their first cuts from the backend, with every waiver-eligible defender who’s ultimately bound for the AHL by the time the season starts remaining with the club at this point in camp.
The B’s backend probably has the least room for movement out of every position group on this roster, with Parker Wotherspoon expected to be Boston’s seventh defenseman after a strong finish to his 2023-24.
UNIONDALE, NEW YORK – NOVEMBER 13: Kasimir Kaskisuo #50 of the Toronto Maple Leafs skates in warm-ups prior to the game against the New York Islanders at NYCB Live’s Nassau Coliseum on November 13, 2019. (Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
In goal, the Bruins assigned Ryan Bischel and Nolan Maier to Providence, while veteran Kasimir Kaskisuo was released from his pro tryout with the club but also assigned to the P-Bruins.
All three goaltenders failed to draw into action for the club prior to their respective cuts.
