The Bruins announced on Thursday that they have sent 2021 first-round pick Fabian Lysell to the Vancouver Giants of the Western Hockey League, one of Canada's three major junior leagues.
It's not surprising, as general manager Don Sweeney had already said that would be the most likely home for Lysell this season. The 21st overall pick made a good first impression in training camp and two preseason games, though, at least raising the question of whether the Bruins might reconsider.
The other option would have been to have Lysell play for the Providence Bruins in the American Hockey League. While the 5-foot-10, 18-year-old right wing from Sweden looks like he'd probably be able to hold his own at that level, there are still plenty of reasons the WHL makes more sense.
Going to Vancouver will allow Lysell to adapt to the North American rink size and increased physicality against players his own age rather than against older, stronger pros. He will also play higher in the lineup, get more minutes, and play in all situations, whereas his ice time could have been more limited in Providence. Vancouver's season begins on Saturday.
The decision shouldn't be viewed as any sort of disappointment. While some fans were hoping for the same kind of rapid rise to the NHL David Pastrnak made after being drafted in 2014, that's really more the exception than the rule. What Lysell is doing is much more common for mid-to-late first-round picks.
The Bruins have also returned 2021 third-round pick Brett Harrison to his junior team, the Oshawa Generals of the Ontario Hockey League.
