Four young players who could make the NHL roster

Bruins training camp: Four young players who could make the NHL roster originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston

The Boston Bruins need to do a better job drafting younger players, developing them and giving them a real opportunity to showcase their talents at the NHL level.

A failure in recent years to accomplish these objectives has forced the team to plug roster holes, especially in the bottom-six, via free agency and the trade market. That’s not sustainable.

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Bruins training camp began earlier this week. There are several prospects and young players pushing for a roster spot, including a couple recent first-round picks.

Which of these players have the best chance of making the Opening Night squad? Let’s take a look at four of them.

Fabian Lysell, RW

Lysell is the Bruins’ top prospect after a strong 2021-22 season for the WHL’s Vancouver Giants during which he tallied 62 points (22 goals, 40 assists) in 53 games. He also posted 21 points (four goals, 17 assists) in 12 WHL playoff games, helping the Giants pull off a historic first-round upset.

The 2021 first-round pick is most likely to play in the NHL or AHL next season. He’ll be given every opportunity to earn an NHL roster spot in camp and the preseason. Lysell has an exciting blend of speed, offensive skill, playmaking ability and competitiveness. He makes something out of nothing when he has the puck on his stick.

The Bruins are going to begin the regular season without three players — left wing Brad Marchand and defensemen Charlie McAvoy and Matt Grzelcyk — who play a key role in driving offense. Lysell’s game-changing offensive talent will be needed early on.

Johnny Beecher, C

Beecher was Boston’s first-round pick in the 2019 NHL Draft. He did not meet expectations, at least offensively (39 points in 81 games), during his three years playing for the University of Michigan. Although in Beecher’s defense, an injury-plagued sophomore…