Bruins prospects who could compete for Opening Night roster spot originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston
The Boston Bruins did a good job integrating several rookies to their NHL roster last season, including center Matt Poitras, center Johnny Beecher and defenseman Mason Lohrei.
Could the B’s do something similar with one or more prospects ahead of the 2024-25 campaign?
The Bruins do not have an elite prospect pool. In fact, most experts rank the group near the bottom of the league. But that doesn’t mean the system is without any real NHL-caliber talent.
Bruins rookie camp begins Wednesday, and it’s a huge opportunity for some of these prospects to showcase their talent and make the case they belong in Boston sooner rather than later.
Which prospects could compete for a roster spot in training camp and the preseason? Let’s break down four options.
Position: Right wing
2023-24 Team: Providence Bruins (AHL)
2023-24 Stats: 15G, 35A in 56 GP
It’s time for Lysell to show he can take the next step and not only play well enough to earn an NHL roster spot, but also be a contributor offensively.
He’s the most gifted offensive player in Boston’s prospect pool. The 2021 first-round pick has a great shot, he plays with tremendous speed and his playmaking skill is impressive. He’s the type of player who can put defensemen on their heels as he flies through the neutral zone toward the opponent’s net. His skill set would also be helpful on the power play. The offseason departures of Jake DeBrusk and James van Riemsdyk could result in some new faces on the second power-play unit.
Lysell has dealt with some injuries during his AHL career. When healthy, he has the potential to be a dynamic offensive player, and that is something the Bruins are very much lacking. It also helps that Lysell’s natural position is right wing, which is a position of weakness for Boston.
The most ideal scenario for the Bruins is Lysell playing great in camp and the preseason and showing he deserves to start the season as the second-line right wing. But he has to earn it first. He’s not going to be thrown into that role just because he’s a first-round pick.
We all know Lysell can contribute offensively, but is he able to handle the defensive responsibilities asked of NHL players? The Bruins pride themselves on playing a smart, responsible two-way game. Lysell needs to show he’s made progress defensively during camp and the preseason. That said, the Bruins should give him a bit of leeway here. There are…