Bruins GM Don Sweeney Explains Decision Trade Away Former 1st-Rnd Pick

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Bruins GM Don Sweeney Explains Decision Trade Away Former 1st-Rnd Pick originally appeared on NESN. Add NESN as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The Boston Bruins made a head-turning trade on Saturday morning. General manager Don Sweeney decided it was time to move on from 2021 first-round pick Fabian Lysell.

Lysell was traded to the Colorado Avalanche in a one-for-one deal that sent the more experienced 23-year-old Ivan Ivan to Boston.

Lysell was selected with the 21st overall pick in the 2021 NHL Draft. He spent the 2022-23 season in Providence, posting a respectable 37 points on 14 goals in 54 games.

The next year, his 50-point season in Providence earned him a brief stint with Boston. He made his NHL debut in the 24-25 season, scoring one goal and assisting on two others on his way to posting an overall -4 differential.

Unfortunately, he did not stick in Boston and spent the next two seasons in the AHL.

Sweeney opened up about his decision to call it quits with Lysell.

"I spoke to Fabian today, and we want to wish Fabian well," Sweeney said. "He's been a very productive player at the American Hockey League level. He hasn't fully grasped at the NHL level what it requires to play each and every night.

"He took ownership of that today. We took ownership of -- could we have done more and better in supporting him? Probably. "

He then praised Fabian for the difficulty of the transition from an international player to a professional in the United States. Still, he ultimately echoed the sentiment that fans know to be true.

"We're providing a new opportunity for Fabian," Sweeney said. "It's the right thing to do for him personally, and hopefully professionally."

Don Sweeney on the #NHLBruins trade with Colorado:

"We're excited about Ivan... he's played games, he's got versatility..." pic.twitter.com/NY4t9LpUtG

— NESN (@NESN) June 28, 2026

Sometimes a change of scenery is needed, and both Boston and Colorado are betting on that being the case for Lysell and Ivan.

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