Bruins Prospects Starting Season Strong for the Providence Bruins
With the Boston Bruins off to such a strong start this season, it is easy to overlook what their prospect pool is accomplishing early this season. Boston minor league team, the Providence Bruins, features eight players skating in their rookie professional season.
A few Bruins prospects have started the season strong, while others are taking more time adapting to the rigours of professional hockey.
Top Bruins prospect Fabian Lysell hasn't missed a beat after finishing last season strong with the WHL Vancouver Giants. Through nine games, Lysell has ten points with three goals and seven assists. Lysell's speed and crafty with the puck have been on full display as seen here:
Left Wing Luke Toporowski has also gotten off to a strong start with nine points in 11 games. Toporowski, an American skater, played in the WHL. Despite posting some decent numbers in junior, Toporowski went undrafted and signed with the Providence Bruins to a two-year minor league deal over the summer.
Georgii Merkulov, a Russian left winger, has also posted nine points through nine games with Providence. Merkulov has scored four goals and added five assists early on this season. Merkulov was signed to a 3-year entry-level contract at the end of his NCAA season with Ohio State last year. Merkulov was also undrafted and maybe a sleeper of a prospect for the Bruins.
Conversely, a few Bruins' rookies look to be having tough starts to their professional careers. 2019 1st-round selection John Beecher hasn't found his name on the scoresheet very often this season. Beecher has posted just one goal and one assist through 11 games with Providence.
After seeing time with the big club last season, Center Marc McLaughlin has struggled offensively with Providence this year. He has yet to find the back of the net and has added just two assists through 11 games played.
We'll keep an eye on the progress of the Bruins' prospects as the season progresses.
| POLL | ||
Which prospect has impressed you the most so far? | ||
| Fabian Lysell | 36 | 49.3 % |
| Georgii Merkulov | 15 | 20.5 % |
| Luke Toporowski | 17 | 23.3 % |
| Other? Let us know in the Facebook comments | 5 | 6.8 % |
| List of polls | ||
