If you’ve been noticing the strong play of No. 37 for the Bruins (Providence, that is) this season, you’re not alone. The Boston Bruins have rewarded Brady Lyle with a two-year entry-level contract. Lyle had been playing with the Providence Bruins on an AHL contract that actually extended through the 2021-22 season as well. That second year will be replaced by the entry-level deal and the new contract carries an average annual value of $800K at the NHL level.
Despite scoring at a strong rate in the OHL, Lyle went undrafted in each of his eligible years and ended up settling for that AHL contract last spring. At the beginning of this season when there wasn’t a clear timetable for the minor leagues, he was loaned to Slovakia where he recorded three points in six games with Detva HC. Since returning, he has been one of the most exciting players on the Providence roster, scoring six goals and 12 points in 19 games. Both of those numbers lead all defenders on the Bruins, but Lyle is also tied for the AHL lead in goals by a defenseman.
Sure, there’s still work to be done by the 21-year-old, but securing an NHL deal was the first step. Last month AHL reporter Mark Divver tweeted that “NHL teams are sniffing around” on Lyle, suggesting that Boston may not have been the only team interested in signing him to an entry-level deal.
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