The Flyers have OFFICIALLY come to an agreement with Olle Lycksell to a two-year, entry-level contract (ELC). The contract begins next season and is worth an AAV of $837,500 per year, according to the Flyers:
The 21-year-old in Lycksell was a sixth round pick (168th overall) of the Flyers back in 2017. Lycksell would have become a free agent on June 1st if the Flyers did not sign him. Lycksell spent last season with Färjestad BK of the SHL after playing for Linkoping in the SHL as he played in arguably the third toughest hockey league in the world. He tallied nine goals, and 12 assists this past season. Unfortunately, he posted the same numbers in 2019-20.
What I would personally would have liked to have seen from Lycksell is more goal scoring. He is very talented, Lycksell just needs to finish 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. Confidence may have been an issue this past season, as I do not think any league wasn’t suffering from some type of Covid situation , to include player testing.
One thing Lycksell has to do is get bigger and stronger. He can score from anywhere, as Lycksell has an arsenal of highlight reel moves. He has a shoot first mentality and is a solid addition. Lycksell 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.
The only thing that stands in Lycksell’s way is confidence. He has to become more consistent, thus finishing the play more. He has all the talent, now it’s to put it all together.
Elliot Desnoyers
Once seen as a project pick for the Flyers after being traded from the Moncton Wildcats. Desnoyers brings a combination of high-end skating and hockey sense that makes him a dangerous player without the puck. He plays a good two-way game, and is rarely out of position. Desnoyers blocks shots, gets into the passing lanes, provides high energy, and simply plays the game the right way.
Desnoyers provided a leadership role with a rebuilding Halifax Mooseheads club, and he increased his production while playing with a potential first round pick in Zachary L’Heureux. Both L’Heureux and Desnoyers were utilized in every situation to include the top Power Play Unit.
“I think my role changed a lot. Last year, I had such a great team. We were going for the Cup and I learned a lot from it. This year with Halifax, it’s a new opportunity for me. Just being a part of the leader group. For sure, it’s going to be different in a good way for me. I think I’m a big two-way player. I think both offense and defense is a big part of my game. I’m a guy that can compete everywhere and give it all on the ice every day.”– Elliot Desnoyers said after being drafted by the Flyers
The young 19-year-old in Desnoyers had the potential for big point totals this year. As a fifth-round pick, Desnoyers is keeping his game simple, and this approach is leading to a breakout season thus far with six goals and six assists in 12 games played. He’s playmaker with a high-end shot. Flyers’ Assistant General Manager Brent Flahr is high on the young man:
“Elliot Desnoyers had a productive year in Halifax and played a strong, two-way game with lots of passion. As he matures physically and gets stronger, his game should continue to grow.”– Brent Flahr via the Flyers press release
Desnoyers is a talented, skilled forward that has great vision of the ice, and can skate with the best of them. He has a lethal wrist shot, he has great acceleration, and is a determined young man. “The Destroyer”is the real deal.
The sky is the limit for both of these young men, as they enter into a New journey in Flyer Land.