‘Prized’ Prospect Tabbed As Answer To ‘Burning’ Bruins Question

The Bruins have plenty of questions to answer as they prepare for the start of training camp Wednesday.

Is Jeremy Swayman's contract ever going to get done? How will increased size play a role in their lineups? Did they do enough to supplement the production lost from last season? Who will fill the void left by Jake DeBrusk on the wing?

It's going to be a loud couple weeks in Boston, but that final question might already have an answer.

ESPN's Ryan S. Clark and Kristen Shilton put together a list of "burning questions" on the eve of most training camps kicking off, and the query they had for the B's related to who would step in on the top-six unit for DeBrusk.

Fabian Lysell, of course.

"Lysell is the real one to watch," Clark and Shilton wrote. "Boston held him out of rookie camp so he would be 'extremely ready' for the team's main event. In other words, the Bruins expect he's ready to snag an NHL roster spot for opening night. We'll see if that's the case."

Lysell, 21, is someone that hasn't quite taken the leap expected of him, but that hasn't tempered too many expectations.

"Fabian had huge steps this year," Providence Bruins head coach Ryan Mougenel said in July. "We forget how young Fabian is at times. We had him as a 19-year-old. The maturity that he's shown in his game has been great to see. Things that he does really well ... he has a creative mind, he plays the game at a fast pace, his speed creates a ton of anxiety. Those are things he has to bring to the table for (Bruins head coach Jim Montgomery)."

Lysell should have an opportunity to show what he has throughout September, and playing alongside the likes of Brad Marchand, Elias Lindholm, Charlie Coyle, Pavel Zacha and David Pastrnak should help.