Ok, a ton of this is false/misleading.
Nobody is denying that he has raw talent. He was committed to BC because the BC staff saw his raw ability at Deerfield and figured they could coach him how to play the game as a defenseman. They couldn't...he didn't play, so he left. As far as Jerry York's involvement in the recruitment process, it's not infrequent for Jerry to do just what you say. Many HC's are less hands on in the recruiting and leave it all to the assistants. That said,, assuming your statement is factually correct, it isn't exclusive to Malcolm Lyles that he got a visit from Jerry.
While he was in Vernon, the old Lowell staff said "Hmm, well, he was good enough to go to BC, he's good enough to play for us." He put up numbers in Vernon because a) he was the only player with two years of experience practicing every day with the best college hockey team in the land and b) because the BCHL is a fire-wagon offensive league that he fit right in. That said, though "Styles Lyles" was a fan favorite, he couldn't be reined in there either.
As far as NHL offers go, nobody gets "15 training camp invites." If 15 teams are expressing interest in a player, one offers him a contract. It's simply the law of averages. Could he have a cup of coffee in the American League as a forward? Possibly, but he's not an American leaguer. The highest level that he can play consistent professional hockey in the United States - given his current liabilities - is the Coast. If he's going to have a lengthy pro career, it will be in Europe.
Unlike other posters, I don't want to get into a ****ing match with you, but those are the facts...
Of course he would. And when you factor in the high cost of living in Providence, that small difference in salary is peanuts, especially when you are approaching 200k anyway. My prediction, Leaman by way of his no comment comment is very interested in the job and he knows this area...I wont be at all shocked to see him pack up and head back to the Orono area.
