Canucks: Should they pick Fabian Lysell with the ninth overall pick?
Once again, the Vancouver Canucks will be not picking first overall.
After entering the NHL Draft Lottery with the highest odds, the Buffalo Sabres were finally awarded the first pick this year, with newcomers Seattle Kraken winning the second overall pick from the second draw of the evening. Unlike previous years, the Canucks did not fall back in the draft lottery and stayed where they were, locking in the ninth overall. (That’s a win, right?)
While the 2021 draft class isn’t as deep as last year’s, there are still a lot of intriguing prospects that the Canucks can land in the first round. For the next three days, The Canuck Way is going to profile three different prospects that could fall into the ninth overall spot come draft day on July 23rd.
The first player we’re going to look at is right winger Fabian Lysell.
Who is Fabien Lysell?
Lysell was born in Goteburg, Sweden on January 19, 2003. According to EliteProspects, he clocks in at 5’10” and 172 pounds, and shoots right. He currently plays for Lulea HC of the SHL, where he had two goals and an assist in 26 games in a bottom six role this past season. He also played for Frolunda’s under-20 team, where he scored three goals and 10 points in 11 games before transferring to Lulea to play against men.
He had three goals and six assists in seven games at the World Under-18’s in Texas this past May, helping Sweden get the bronze medal. In that game, the Swedes crushed rival Finland 8-0.
There is also a Vancouver connection with Lysell. He was drafted 30th overall by the Vancouver Giants in the 2020 WHL Import Draft.
What are the experts saying?
First, we look into what Nick Richard of Dobber Prospects had to say on what he thought of Lysell’s gameplay.
“Lysell’s greatest attribute is his skating, with speed to burn and the agility to adjust and play through traffic. He is an excellent puck handler and can make moves at high speed, as well as in tight around the net. He lacks size and strength but does a good job of protecting the puck on his outside hip while looking to make a play. Lysell hunts pucks while closing quickly on the forecheck and does well to evade defenders in confined spaces by using his low center of gravity to get underneath checks. Able to turn on a dime due to his great edges and ability to transfer weight quickly, Lysell is slippery along the boards. He is a responsible defensive player who supports the play well in the offensive zone and does an even better job of tracking the play in defensive transition, taking intelligent angles in pursuit.”
Another take would be from Alexander Appleyard of Smaht Scouting, who looked deeper into what Lysell brings to the ice.
“Dynamic is an understatement when it comes to Lysell. His combination of hands and speed are breath-taking. It is rare for even an experienced, skilled, NHL player to have the puck control, poise and confidence to make the moves Lysell does with ease in full-stride. Puck-on-a-string comes to mind. His feel make it seems like he was born with a stick in his hands, or simply that it is an extension of his body itself. Even good defensemen at the u-18 international level get a deer-in-headlights look when Lysell picks their side of ice to attack. For good reason. He often makes them look like pee-wee players as they end up a foot-note in an ever expanding highlight reel.”
Where is he ranked?
#12 by TSN’s Bob McKenzie
ICYMI - Michigan defenceman Owen Power has solidified and enhanced his No. 1 standing from last fall’s #NHLDraft ranking in the eyes of 10 NHL scouts surveyed by TSN...
— TSN Hockey (@TSNHockey) April 20, 2021
Check out the 100-player list compiled by @TSNBobMcKenzie: https://t.co/WqPIkx2N2d#TSNHockey | #DraftCentre pic.twitter.com/K3m5ZTd7Cg
#9 by NHL Central Scouting among European skaters
#9 by The Hockey Writer‘s Matthew Zator
#7 by EliteProspects
#3 by DobberProspects
#9 by SmahtScouting
#10 by FCHockey
Why should the Canucks consider him?
Lysell is known for a being a skilled winger and has potential to be a solid NHL top six winger with his incredible puck-handling. He makes it tough for defenders to take the puck away, but is also able to retrieve it quickly if he does lose it. The Swede is also a very good playmaker with excellent vision and passing. Plus, his shot isn’t too bad, either.
What makes Lysell stand out from other players in this draft is his skating ability. Arguably the best skater in the draft, Lysell is quick on the ice with great acceleration and edgework, allowing him to transition well up the ice.
His skating and hands are put on full display as he scored this ridiculous goal against the United States at the U-18 tournament. You might want to watch it more than once.
Fabian Lysell are you kidding me!? pic.twitter.com/qhMDgMcguI
— /Cam Robinson/ (@Hockey_Robinson) May 4, 2021
Lysell is pretty good defensively, too. His speeds makes him effective on the back check and he is great at using his stick to steal the puck without taking a penalty. This is all put on display below.
inb4 people say fabian lysell doesn't play well defensively pic.twitter.com/SwfYtAc1RQ
— Will Scouch (@Scouching) December 29, 2020
The only concern with Lysell might be his size but, in the modern NHL, size doesn’t seem to matter as much, as long as you can make up for it in other aspects of your game.
At the end of the day, Lysell would be a good draft pick for the Canucks.
It would be nice to have a fast and skilled winger added to the prospect pool, especially one that could potentially be a top-six forward with the club in the future. Of course, some might argue that the Canucks would be better off picking a right-handed defenceman, or even a centre. Both are positions that need to be addressed, but if Lysell is still available at ninth, they should definitely consider snagging him.
Lysell talked about his game, the upcoming draft and the Canucks on the Canucks Conversation Podcast hosted by Chris Faber and David Quadrelli of Canucks Army, both of whom are former Canuck Way writers. You can listen to it here, with Lysel coming on at 29:48.
Want to learn more about Lysell? Will Scouch of the Scouching Youtube channel takes a deeper dive below.
Next. Karel Plasek signs three-year entry level contract. dark
Should the Canucks draft Lysell with the ninth overall pick? Let us know in the comments below, and make sure to check out our next piece on who else the team could select in the first round this year!