The Bruins didn't add any forwards via trade before Monday afternoon's deadline, but is it possible they could add a talented right wing in late April?
General manager Don Sweeney did not include top prospect Fabian Lysell -- the team's first-round pick last summer -- in the blockbuster trade to acquire defenseman Hampus Lindholm, nor in any other deal. And meeting with reporters after Monday's deadline, Sweeney did not close the door when asked about the possibility of Lysell playing NHL games before the end of this season.
"After his junior season, he could join either club [Boston or AHL Providence] to tell you the truth, as a player," Sweeney said. "He's trying to do everything he possibly can to put Vancouver in the best spot they're in, and hopefully continues to have a good offensive year overall, working on his habits. I was out, saw him a couple of weeks ago. Met with him, just making sure the lines of communication.
"He understands he's got to stay in the moment where your feet are, where he could be. Take care of that process, take that as far as you can, and there's an opportunity as soon as that one closes. Hopefully they play for as long as they possibly can, and that's where he should focus. But he's a possibility for Providence, and here as well."
Lysell, 19, is having a terrific first season in the Western Hockey League with the Vancouver Giants. He leads the team in goals (20), assists (31) and plus/minus (+18) despite missing 14 of the team's 57 games. His GM in Vancouver compared his skating to Connor McDavid and Pavel Bure last month.
While the possibility of seeing Lysell in Boston this season is exciting, it's worth noting that it could be tough timing-wise. The WHL regular season doesn't end until April 16, and Lysell's Giants will be in the playoffs as well.
Even if they get knocked out in the first round -- definitely a possibility given that they're sixth in their conference, well off the pace of the top five -- that wouldn't leave much time for Lysell to see regular-season NHL action before the Bruins' final game on April 29. It's not unheard of for young players to make their NHL debuts in the playoffs, but it's obviously a tough ask. The Bruins could have Lysell play AHL games, see how he does, then decide about a potential postseason call-up.
Regardless, the fact that Sweeney even entertained the idea is notable.
"He has pro attributes, for sure," Sweeney added. "The physicality and some of the things that come with gaining experience at this level, probably better served to go through a training camp environment, rookie camp and training camp, and see where he progresses. He handled himself fine during training camp this year in exhibition. He's got skill sets and there's nothing that stands in his way. Jumping in midstream at the end of the year is not an easy process, but from a skill standpoint and a talent standpoint, Fabian has a lot of the things that we're excited about."
The Bruins also held onto their No. 2 prospect, defenseman Mason Lohrei, through this trade deadline. Lohrei's impressive freshman season at Ohio State (29 points in 31 games) is already over, as the Buckeyes just missed making the NCAA tournament.
Sweeney left the door open to signing the 21-year-old Lohrei as well, but said that will be up to him and that there isn't any rush anyways because Lohrei is currently recovering from an injury.
"He's dealing with an injury, lower-body injury, right now that he's kind of taking some extra time," Sweeney said. "Whether or not he would have been playing this weekend, to be determined. Probably would have been on the aggressive side of things. He's kind of weighing that. We're going to meet with him and let that heal and then make the best decision with that information. There's not any urgency to rush through the healing process, and then we get a better feeling as to where he's going to go going forward."
