Despite being up to his neck in late-round selections in the 2026 NHL Draft, Colorado Avalanche GM Joe Sakic found the time to pull off a bit of an intriguing trade.
The Avs landed forward Fabian Lysell from the Boston Bruins in exchange for Ivan Ivan.
Ivan was a bit of a “little engine that could,” playing in nine games for the Avalanche this past season. He only notched one assist, playing predominantly in the AHL. Overall, Ivan played in 49 games for Colorado, notching four goals and nine points.
Ivan was an undrafted pick, signing a two-year deal with the Avs in 2024. The 23-year-old is an RFA now and will likely look to catch on with the Bruins next season.
As for the return, the Avalanche landed Lysell.
Lysell was the 21st-overall pick in the 2021 NHL Draft. He has only played 12 games with the Bruins, notching one goal and three points.
He spent all of this season with the Providence Bruins of the AHL, scoring 17 goals and 42 points in 57 games. He’s also an RFA and will be looking for a contract this summer.
This deal was ultimately rooted in the Bruins’ likely inability to keep Lysell. Lysell, along with another seemingly failed prospect, Matthew Poitras, were prospects dangled at the NHL trade deadline.
No one really bit on either one, making them pretty much expendable for the organization. The issue here is that Lysell could be looking for a new contract that wasn’t in Boston’s plan. In Colorado, Lysell could get a real shot at making the lineup.
It wouldn’t be unusual to hear his name bounce around as a bottom-six option. If he really does fit in Colorado, the 23-year-old Lysell could become a good addition on Nazem Kadri’s wing.
Overall, this trade has the potential to be a fantastic pickup for Colorado. The Avs got a former first-round pick for a likable, if expendable, AHL-level forward.
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