At the 2017 NHL Draft, the Philadelphia Flyers were looking to land sixth-round value. With the 168th overall pick, the Flyers selected Swedish forward Olle Lycksell.
Lycksell played in Swedish leagues every season from 2012-13 up until the 2021-22 season. In the 2021-22 season, Lycksell delivered for the Växjö Lakers HC when he delivered a 34-point season in 47 games.
However, Lycksell had difficulty getting NHL playing time with the Flyers over the past three seasons. This off-season, Lycksell joined the Ottawa Senators on a one-way, two way contract. For a player who didn't get much NHL playing time in Philadelphia, it's time to see what type of player the Senators can get in both the NHL and AHL.
What Lycksell can bring to Senators organization
Lycksell can bring toughness in the NHL, who spent his time mainly on the fourth line, but eager to show his offensive potential. Lycksell recorded five assists in 19 games in the 2024-25 season with the Flyers. In his NHL career, Lycksell has recorded 11 points in 45 games. Lycksell has scored just one NHL goal.
This past March, Lycksell recorded two consecutive games of recording at least one assist on two different occasions. The best NHL game Lycksell played was when he recorded two assists in the Flyers' 4-3 win against the Tampa Bay Lightning on March 13. The two-assist game was Lycksell's second career multi-point game.
There can be a chance Lycksell can catch Ottawa's eye to get NHL playing time if he can play solid in the AHL with the Belleville Senators. In 2024-25, Lycksell had better AHL success with the Lehigh Valley Phantoms than the Flyers. Lycksell led the Phantoms with 44 points and 25 assists in 2024-25.
In 134 AHL games, Lycksell has recorded 128 points with the Phantoms. Lycksell also brings AHL playoff experience with playing in the Calder Cup Playoffs in each of his three seasons with the Phantoms.
With the Senators losing prospect Cole Reinhardt and Angus Crookshank this off-season, Lycksell has the ability to fill their holes and make up the production. Lycksell can provide heavy offense alongside Stephen Halliday and Wyatt Bongiovanni.
Lycksell has a fresh start ahead of him with joining the Senators for 2025-26. Lycksell will be 26 years old by the time the 2025-26 season starts.
With solid AHL play, Lycksell will be eager to raise his game on a new team. Belleville can use Lycksell more offensively with losing Reinhardt and Crookshank, but Lycksell has shown in Lehigh Valley how good his offense can be.