Photo Credit: Our very own Samantha Wismer
Olle, Olle, Olle…Olle, Olle, Olle. What a season for Olle Lycksell last year. He needed a good Rookie Camp to solidify his status as an up and coming prospect, and Lycksell did just that. Fast forward to a Training Camp, where he impressed John Tortorella. He really made the right impression with the Lehigh Phantoms and he made his NHL Debut today against the Vancouver Canucks in October.
For his efforts, Lycksell signed a two-year, two-way, $1.575 million contract ($787,500 AAV) today. The Flyers now have one Restricted Free Agents (RFA) remaining in Morgan Frost. I believe some term might be involved with that, and that could be the holdup.
Lycksell was physical and he potted the equalizing goal in the second period of the rookie game that eventually went to overtime. He was really on his game, so it was great to see him with loads of confidence heading into the season. Confidence is a big thing for this young man, the more he remained confident, the better he played for the Phantoms.
The 23-year-old in Lycksell was a sixth round pick (168th overall) of the Flyers back in 2017. Lycksell spent the 2021-22 season with the Vaxjo Lakers of the SHL after playing for Farjestad BK in the SHL, as he played in arguably the third toughest hockey league in the world. He tallied 14 goals, and chipped in 20 assists this past season.
Lycksell is very talented, and he has refined his game in terms of finishing more. Some good qualities Lycksell possesses are skating and shooting. Lycksell has the wheels to succeed in the AHL/NHL, and he does not shy away from shooting the puck nor going to the greasy areas to pot a goal.
He has an arsenal of highlight reel moves and that was on display last season. Lycksell has a shoot first mentality and is a solid addition. He reminds me of Oskar Lindblom, but Lycksell is a better skater at this stage in his development than Lindblom was. Lycksell has a dynamite wrist shot, and he can really take advantage of this opportunity that he has been given. He is great between the circles, where he has made a living on burning opposing netminders roofing the puck top shelf, thus knocking the water bottles off the top of the net.
Let’s see what this young man can do this season. Lycksell became the 16th Flyer to make his NHL Debut in the past three seasons (Including the 2022-23 season). The sky is the limit for Lycksell, let’s see what he can do.
