Boston Bruins: A Tale of Two (Ryan) Spooners.
Sep 19, 2013; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Bruins center Ryan Spooner (51) skates with the puck during the second period against the Detroit Red Wings at TD Banknorth Garden. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports
There are times where it’s hard to figure out exactly what the Bruins are planning for the 2015-15 season. Ryan Spooner was the best player on the ice for the Black and Gold in their 3-2 loss to Montreal. Granted, he was part of a few defensive breakdowns in that game, but that’s what the preseason is about. Players shaking off the rust and trying to earn a NHL job. After the game Julien called out Spooner specifically for his offensive talents but labeled him as a “liability defensively”.
Ouch.
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To Spooner’s credit, he took that information to heart. We still saw his speed in the 2-0 win over the Washington Capitals, but we saw less mistakes on the back end. “It was better. Guys are going to make mistakes,” said Julien after the Caps game. “I think we saw one where he had his man in the third [period], and I think it was Ward that still took a shot. But I think [Spooner] understands it. We remind him because he’s got to keep working on it. He had another decent game tonight.”
“With his speed he made a couple of good plays. As I mentioned before, offensively he can excite you and be a really useful player. We hope he can be committed at the other end so he can be a good player for us.” Claude Julien on Ryan Spooner
It’s not often you see Julien tear someone down after a game. Claude Julien is trying to send a message to Spooner. If the Boston Bruins did not think Spooner was worth their time, they would have cut him and send him back down to Providence. They obviously want to see him perform at the NHL level.
There is still a lingering question over the design of this new fourth line. The Bruins front office is looking for a faster, more skilled based fourth line. But does Coach Claude Julien want to see something more like the old Merlot Line? Is Spooner’s speed to much of a tweak to the fourth line, and if so, is there some push back over Spooner?
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Gregory Campbell has still not been cleared to play by the Bruins medical staff. With Campbell out, the safe money is on Ryan Spooner becoming the fourth line center on opening night. It’s a good slot for him. Spooner and Paille are two of the fastest Bruins on the ice. They’ll be great on breakouts, and the organization can expect more points from their fourth line.
Spooner understands that there is a difference between AHL and NHL hockey. To his credit, he’s been trying to make improvements on his weaknesses from last season. Last season, he was 40% in the face off circle. He’s been over 60% in both games so far. He was worried about his shooting, and that has also improved. Now Spooner has to be ready to completely buy in to the Julien system of defensive minded hockey.
“It’s something I haven’t really had to focus on,” said Spooner about being better defensively. “But if you look at the other [centers] here they are great at it. It’s something I’ll have to learn. I’m more of an offensive player, and I’ve never had to focus on that before.”
We’ll see how he progresses as the Bruins meet the Capitals again tonight in D.C.