[Sandman]

RW Fabian Lysell,5'10"172lbs (Frolunda HC J20, SWE): 11gp/3g/10a/13pts, 12PIM. Lysell finished 5th in p/gp with 1.18, just behind Marcus Almqvist (1.21), William Stromgren (1.29), Simon Robertsson (1.33), and Noah Ostlund (1.50,2022 draft eligible).His primary points per 60 rate playing in the U20 class was 3.5. His play earned him 26 games at the SHL level, where he played bottom-line minutes and put up 3pts-3rd for under-18 players. He also tied for first with Rosen in the U-18s with 9pts in 7 games. As some of us already know, this kid is fun to watch-he plays with high-level pace, and always seems to be in top gear. His skill hovers around the elite of his class-he can pull off moves in full flight or in tight spaces, and can easily weave through, or around traffic. He can dangle like Patrick Kane. More of a playmaker, he's a points-generator for himself and others, as dangerous off the cycle as off the rush, and good things always happen when he's in the offensive zone with the puck-and he seemingly has it on a string. He tries things that even most NHLers wouldn't be able to pull off.

Lysell is a loyal team player, with a good work ethic and brings energy. He's aggressive in 1-on-1 battles, and wins most of the time, despite his size. He can draw attackers to him, then hit the open teammates for opportunities-forces errors to create chances, and breaks down the other team in the offensive zone. Creative, with high-end vision, and his anticipation keeps him a few steps ahead of the play. His puck control is already elite, and he can connect with any pass you can dream of, sometimes through seams that nobody else sees. Controls the PP from the half wall. Tremendous stickhandler, with a bag of tricks-he can toe drag, or deke through traffic or the goalie. He can stickhandle, or change direction in a phone booth, and can play in tight traffic.

He's not a good skater, he's exceptional-his edgework is elite, he can turn on a dime. One of the top skaters in this draft. Blows around, or through coverage, and forces the D back, who don't want to look stupid. His teammates want the puck on his stick in transition, and he's equally as good in defensive transitions-his speed, anticpation, quick stick, and hockey sense aid him in thwarting rushes, and gaining the zone with control. Hustles hard on the backcheck. He could stand to shoot more, as he owns a good, hard wrister with a sneaky release. Lysell puts in hard work in the d-zone, with good positioning and an active stick-applies pressure to eliminate time and space. Simply turns defense into offense.

I think it might be safe to say that Lysell's game is more translatable to the NHL than most Europeans, as he doesn't require much time and space to operate. Like most players his size and age, he will need to get stronger-he can still be overpowered, or pushed off the puck-this will help at both ends of the rink, and will help with his next shortcoming, the power in his shot. He can shoot quickly and accurately, but that shot needs to be harder and heavier. He's not very physical, but that can be chalked up to style. His consistency waivers from time to time. He has to learn to play a bit more of a simple game, as he sometimes tries to do too much, or be too flashy, which can lead to errors, turnovers, and overskating the puck. Over time, I've heard whispers of a perceived attitude problem. This might possibly stem from a trade request he made, which was granted (from Frolunda to Lulea), saying he needed "a fresh start". Not sure if this is true, as sometimes perception is reality. I would caution anyone from comparing Lysell to Eklund, as the latter did most of his damage in the men's pro league, and the former struggled there (not a slight, most kids his age do), proving that Eklund's game is further advanced at this point. In terms of style, and not necessarily potential, he's often compared to Mitch Marner, or Pat Kane.