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Boston Bruins expand their defensive prospect pool

By Matt Hawkins

OSHAWA, ON - FEBRUARY 17: Brady Lyle #33 of the Owen Sound Attack skates with the puck during an OHL game against the Oshawa Generals at the Tribute Communities Centre on February 17, 2020 in Oshawa, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Chris Tanouye/Getty Images)
OSHAWA, ON - FEBRUARY 17: Brady Lyle #33 of the Owen Sound Attack skates with the puck during an OHL game against the Oshawa Generals at the Tribute Communities Centre on February 17, 2020 in Oshawa, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Chris Tanouye/Getty Images) /
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It’s no secret that the Boston Bruins have one of the best AHL teams. The Providence Bruins have consistently been atop the AHL over the last few years and are currently in first in their division and in second among the entire AHL with a 14-4-1 record.

While the P-Bruins have consistently been good, they’ve struggled to generate young talent that can translate their success in the AHL to the NHL. In other words, the B’s lack top-end prospects, especially at the blueline.

Right now, the Black and Gold’s top blueline is considered to be 22-year-old, stay-at-home defenseman Urho Vaakanainen. Behind him, Boston has 23-year-old, offensive defenseman Jack Ahcan. Both are very good prospects, however, Vaakanainen lacks offensive upside and Ahcan is iffy when it comes to playing in his own zone.

However, with a move earlier today, the B’s might have officially added a defenseman to their prospect pool that can produce offensively while also playing solid defense.

Brady Lyle may now be the top defenseman in the Boston Bruins’ prospect pool.

Signed to a one-year AHL deal as an undrafted free agent out of the Owen Sound Attack of the OHL, 21-year-old Brady Lyle has officially become a prospect of the Black and Gold as he signed a two-year entry-level contract (ELC) with an average annual value (AAV) of $800,000 with Boston earlier today.

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When looking at Lyle’s junior stats, it’s quite surprising he went undrafted. Between playing for the North Bay Battalion and the Owen Sound Attack, Lyle racked up 295 OHL games over five years. In those 295 games, Lyle recorded 49 goals and 126 assists for 175 points with 100 penalty minutes and an even plus/minus (+/-).

To go along with this, Lyle also played 27 playoff games over three postseasons, recording two goals and eight assists for 10 points with 10 penalty minutes and a -10 rating.

Since being signed by Providence, the right-shot blueliner has turned heads with his ability to chip in on offense while also playing solid defense.

Through 19 games with the P-Bruins, Lyle has six goals and six assists for 12 points with 13 penalty minutes and a +10 rating. With that level of play, it’s clear why the B’s decided to give him an ELC and make him an official prospect of the organization.

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With Lyle signed to an ELC, there’s now a chance we could see him in the NHL this season. While this is unlikely as Lyle still has several other guys in front of him, you never know with the Black and Gold as they like giving their prospects looks, and if the situation arises where Lyle can get a look, Boston will take it.

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