Boston Bruins: Ryan Spooner- B’s Most Improved Player

The Boston Bruins have certainly had an up and down season so far. They’ve found themselves near the top of the Atlantic Division, and they’ve seen themselves at the very bottom.  Currently, the Bruins are fourth in the Atlantic and are holding the top wild card spot in the East.

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So far, the Bruins have found a way to stave off disaster. They started without their top two defensemen, and have been battling against the injury monster throughout the year. Currently, the Bruins are without defenseman Adam McQuaid and forward David Krejci. While Krejci’s loss is significant, it could have been much worse for the Black and Gold f it wasn’t for Ryan Spooner.

Ryan Spooner is by far the most improved Bruins player from last season. Last season, Spooner brought speed, solid puck handling, and the skill to play great hockey. Unfortunately, he didn’t have the ability to play three-zone, two-way hockey. In a defensive-minded organization like the Bruins, it meant Spooner wasn’t doing his job, and it led to frequent trips back to the AHL.

Spooner bounced back and forth between Providence and Boston. He kept trying to make a name for himself, but his trips up to Boston usually led to disappointment and reassignment. Late last season, Spooner finally got on the radar when he was paired with David Pastrnak and Milan Lucic. Not only did it showcase Pastrnak’s potential and Spooner’s skill, it reinvigorated a very lethargic Lucic.

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Spooner earned a place on the team due to a very strong training camp. He worked his way onto the team, and worked hard to cover his deficiencies. He began to win over head coach Claude Julien by being a two-way player, and for being willing to do whatever it took to help the team.

Currently, Spooner has 28 points (nine goals). That’s good enough for fourth overall on the team.

In Spooner’s most recent game, he showed he can play as a top-six NHL center. He was solid in the face-off circle, winning 8 of 11 draws, going 5 for 5 in the defensive zone. He worked hard to make to make opportunities throughout the game, and put up six shots on goals against the Ottawa Senators.

While the Bruins lost, Spooner played a great game. He’s even earned the respect of Claude Julien.

“I thought he played really well tonight,” said Julien said after the Bruins-Senators game on Saturday. “I thought he skated well. I don’t know how many times I saw him make a real great backcheck. Both sides of the puck, he was good. He made good plays, good decisions. A lot of good things happening with Ryan tonight. I thought it was one of his better games.”

That’s high praise from a coach who thought he was a liability just a season ago. It shows how far Spooner has come, and how much further he is willing to go. Spooner continues to hone his craft. He’s becoming one of the most dependable players on the team.

Just when the Bruins need him to be.