The Colorado Avalanche added several intriguing pieces to their organizational depth this offseason. Two of the newest arrivals also happen to know each other quite well.
Fabian Lysell and Georgii Merkulov spent each of the last four seasons together with the AHL's Providence Bruins, where they were among the club's top offensive contributors.
Colorado acquired Lysell from the Boston Bruins in exchange for Ivan Ivan on June 27 before signing the former first-round pick to a one-year contract two weeks later. Merkulov joined the organization as an unrestricted free agent on a one-year deal on July 20.
Both players were productive in Providence.
Lysell recorded 42 points in 57 games, finishing fifth on the team in scoring. Merkulov led the Bruins with 61 points in 70 games, finishing four points ahead of former Avalanche forward Riley Tufte .
With longtime Providence assistant Trent Whitfield recently promoted to head coach, he was asked in a recent interview about both players and what they brought to the Bruins. Here's what he told reporters on July 30.
"I think those guys did a lot of good things for us here. Fabian was a really good offensive player for us. I'm not going to get too much into that. We would have liked him to dig in a little bit more defensively, but he was a really offensively gifted kind of a player.
"And same with Merk. Merk is the all-time leading scorer for the Providence Bruins. He was awesome for us, a great American League player, and I wish nothing but the best for those two guys moving forward."
Whitfield's comments offered an interesting glimpse into how each player is viewed.
The most notable takeaway involved Lysell.
The 2021 first-round draft pick's offensive talent has never been in question, but Whitfield acknowledged the Bruins wanted more commitment from him defensively. That's something Lysell will almost certainly have to improve if he hopes to earn an NHL call-up under Jared Bednar. Even with Jussi Ahokas and the Colorado Eagles, a stronger two-way game will be essential.
Merkulov's evaluation was a little more nuanced.
Calling him the Providence Bruins' all-time leading scorer speaks for itself. But Whitfield also described him as "a great American League player," a phrase that could be interpreted in different ways. It may have simply been praise for everything Merkulov accomplished in Providence. Or it could hint at the perception that his game has yet to translate into a full-time NHL role.
Regardless, the Avalanche added two players who already have established chemistry and know how to produce together.
Now they'll try to carry that success into Colorado's organization.
The post Providence Bruins Coach Offers Insight on Avalanche Additions Lysell, Merkulov appeared first on Colorado Hockey Now .
