Boston Bruins: Ryan Spooner Trade Talk
Boston Bruins: Ryan Spooner Trade Talk Could Pick Up During The Offseason
The Boston Bruins offseason came faster than they would have liked, and it’s time for moves to be made. The Bruins have started picking up quality draft picks and college players over the last few years who could be valuable additions to the roster throughout the next few years, the team undoubtedly needs immediate contributions to be added to the team as well. While general manager Don Sweeney stated “I don’t believe we need a major overhaul,” he also made it clear that he doesn’t want the team to be complacent.
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“I think that we’ve looked at, and will continue to move players that aren’t going to help us moving forward,” Don Sweeney said. One of those players that could be moved is young centerman Ryan Spooner. In his first full year in the NHL, Ryan Spooner showed the offensive ability that everybody knew he was capable of by posting 13 goals and 36 assists for 49 points in 80 games. While the point total was refreshing, Ryan Spooner was also a minus-nine on the year, and failed to contribute in most five-on-five situations throughout the year. By the end of the season, Ryan Spooner was playing on the wing as opposed to the center ice position because head coach Claude Julien simply didn’t trust him in crunch-time situations anymore.
Ryan Spooner is a valuable offensive player, despite his defensive short-comings. Spooner was a mainstay on the Bruins’ top power play unit for the entire season, and he even showed that he was durable as he played in 80 of the team’s 82 games. Players like Spooner don’t grow on trees, but with the Bruins’ depth at the center ice position, it may be smart to at least explore trade options that may be available to them this offseason.
The top priority for the Boston Bruins this offseason should be acquiring a top defenseman. Ryan Spooner could be an asset in any trade talks involving a defenseman, although it would certainly take more. Although Ryan Spooner‘s name should be involved in trade talks, that doesn’t necessarily mean that the Bruins should trade him. As mentioned, he was a valuable offensive player for the Bruins this season and with a cap hit of only $925,000, the Bruins could certainly do worse.
Next: No Overhaul Needed For The Bruins?
To clarify, Ryan Spooner should not be traded for the sake of trading him this offseason. With the exception of a handful of players, the Bruins’ should be willing to listen to any-and-all trade negotiations that may come their way this summer, and Ryan Spooner could be the team’s top trade-chip. The offseason is just starting for the Boston Bruins, and questions surrounding the future of their roster will be a highly debated topic.