Boston swaps Swedish prospect Fabian Lysell for Colorado’s Ivan Ivan in a draft-day gamble, offering both struggling RFAs a fresh start and a potential path back to NHL rosters.
The Boston Bruins and Colorado Avalanche made a deal at the 2026 NHL Draft that not only swapped 23 year old RFAs but also involved a Czechia fan favourite.
Ivan Ivan was traded to the Boston Bruins from the Avalanche, and going the other way was Swedish forward Fabian Lysell.
Ivan, 23, spent the majority of the 2025-26 season in the AHL with the Colorado Eagles. He played in 66 games and scored 11 goals and 15 assists for 26 points. Over his short NHL career, he has played in 49 games and scored five goals and four assists for nine points.
As for Lysell, he spent the entire year in the AHL with the Providence Bruins. Where he scored 17 goals and 25 assists for 42 points in 57 games. Over his NHL career, he has only played in 12 games; all of them came during the 2024-25 season, and he scored one goal and two assists for three points.
This trade seemed to be more about swapping two struggling assets to give them a change of scenery. Since they are both RFAs, there is no guarantee that they will be qualified and brought back to their new clubs. But, if they are, look for their respective clubs to give them an extended look during training camp.
