The Vancouver Giants have an interesting decision to make.
The Western Hockey League states that teams can only carry two players from outside North America on their roster. The Giants currently have three. The club had commitments from Marko Stacha and Jesper Vikman this summer. However, last week, the Boston Bruins’ GM announced their top prospect Fabian Lysell will play for the Giants. The Giants are going to have to cut ties with one of these players within the first 2 weeks of the regular season.
Don Sweeney says Fabian Lysell is likely headed to WHL Vancouver this season.
— Matt Porter (@mattyports) September 19, 2021
Out of the three names, Marko Stacha is the only returning import player. The Giants picked the Slovakian d-man in last’s year’s import draft. He played the beginning of the season in his home country when the pandemic put the WHL on hold and joined the Giants when their last season started. In 22 WHL games, Stacha tallied 1 goal and 5 assists. He has not been selected in the last two NHL drafts and is expected to play a key role on the Giants’ back end this season.
Jesper Vikman was the club’s lone selection in this year’s import draft. The Swedish goaltender split last season between 3 junior and professional leagues back home. The Vegas Golden Knights selected Vikman in the 5th round of the 2020 NHL Entry Draft, 125th overall. He’s the likely choice to be the Giants’ starting goalie after Trent Miner turned pro with the Colorado Avalanche.
Goaltender Jesper Vikman has been reassigned to the Vancouver Giants from the @GoldenKnights ahead of Opening Weekend.
— X – Vancouver Giants (@WHLGiants) September 27, 2021
The most interesting player out of the trio is Fabian Lysell. The Bruins selected the Swede 21st overall in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft and his entry-level contract with them in August. Lysell was the other pick at Giants import draft last year but opted to play in Sweden. Lysell’s dynamic skillset is an instant upgrade to the team’s forward group. I’d say the Giants were pleasantly surprised to hear about Lysell’s commitment, given that he also had other options of playing pro in Sweden or suiting up for the Bruins’ farm team. The Giants likely selected Vikman for this reason.
Stacha and Lysell are both eligible to be traded because Vancouver has held their negotiation rights for 2 years. On the other hand, Vikman would have to be released by the Giants to stay at the limit. It’ll be a tough decision, to say the least.