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Boston Bruins: Open the wallet and pay Ryan Spooner already

DETROIT, MI - FEBRUARY 06: Ryan Spooner #51 of the Boston Bruins watches the action from the bench against the Detroit Red Wings during an NHL game at Little Caesars Arena on February 6, 2018 in Detroit, Michigan. The Bruins defeated the Wings 3-2. (Photo by Dave Reginek/NHLI via Getty Images)
DETROIT, MI - FEBRUARY 06: Ryan Spooner #51 of the Boston Bruins watches the action from the bench against the Detroit Red Wings during an NHL game at Little Caesars Arena on February 6, 2018 in Detroit, Michigan. The Bruins defeated the Wings 3-2. (Photo by Dave Reginek/NHLI via Getty Images)

The Boston Bruins are one of the best teams in the NHL this season.  Part of the reason is contribution from up-and-down the lineup.  One such player making a big difference is Ryan Spooner.

When it comes to players on the Boston Bruins roster, there is probably no more hotly debated player than Ryan Spooner.  There is no debating that the much-maligned centerman has had his ups-and-downs while in black and gold.

Boston Bruins
BOSTON, MA – FEBRUARY 1: Ryan Spooner

Spooner regularly seems to be one of the players on Bruins’ fans hypothetical trading blocks when trade talks emerge.  This has continued into the 2017-2018, despite the resurgence in Spooner’s play, and the contributions he has made to the Bruins success.  This makes me wonder why the heck this keeps happening.  What does Ryan Spooner have to do to win the hearts of Bruins nation?

Spooner has played center during the majority of his career with the Bruins, with varying degrees of success.  His faceoff win percentage numbers were frankly not very good.  In 2015-2016 and 2016-2017, his percentages were 42.8% and 38.9% respectively.  He also had negative plus/minus ratings in those seasons (-9 and -8) and more turnovers than takeaways (35 giveaways/25 takeaways; 50 giveaways/36 takeaways).  But even still, he put up 49 and 39 points in those seasons, respectable numbers for a 3rd line center.

New season, new Spooner

But this season, things have been different.  The Bruins locker room needed a revolving door installed in October and November due to myriad injuries to multiple key players.  Spooner was one of those players bitten by the injury bug, suffering a groin tear early in the season, missing several weeks initially and then a few games in December due to a re-aggravation.

Since his return, despite normally being the Bruins 3rd line center, he has spent the majority of his time on David Krejci’s right wing.  This is due largely to the stabilizing presence Riley Nash has had on the 3rd line, and the successful composition of the Bruins 4th line.  And boy howdy, hasn’t the change been great for Spooner, despite the fact he’s a lefty playing on his off-wing.

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In 33 games played this season, Spooner has 23 points (9 goals, 14 assists), and a +12 rating.  Since his return to action on November 22nd after missing over a month due to his groin issue, he has 22 points in 28 games.  In his 33 games played, Spooner has only had a negative plus/minus rating in 5 of them, and 2 of those games were before his injury and when the Bruins were playing poorly overall.

The Comps

Spooner is scoring at a similar rate as current linemate David Krejci, who has 27 points in 35 games.  He is scoring a higher rate than veteran forward David Backes, who has 22 points in 36 games.  Spooner has a higher plus/minus rating than Krejci (+10) and Backes (+4).  He is relied upon for his vision and playmaking ability on the first power play unit playing along the right boards and at the point.  For reference, Krejci makes $7.25 million per season, and Backes makes $6 million per year.

So that begs the question:  What does Ryan Spooner have to do to get his money from the Bruins front office?  Last season, Spooner filed for salary arbitration as a restricted free agent.  The team wanted to pay him $2 million, and Spooner’s camp requested $3.825 million.  The parties were able to avoid arbitration by agreeing to a one year, $2.825 million deal.  Overall, a great compromise, and great value for the Bruins.

For example on value, the Bruins are paying Ryan Spooner less than the Columbus Blue Jackets are paying Boone Jenner and the San Jose Sharks are paying Tomas Hertl.  Jenner makes $2.9 million this season, and only has 15 points in 48 games.  Hertl makes $3 million this season, and has 32 points in 55 games, a lower point-per-game number than Spooner.

Next: The Bruins and the Long Road Ahead

Pay the man

I get it, the Bruins have great organizational depth and a loaded prospect pool.  Eventually those younger players will compete for and earn their roster spots.  But in my mind, Ryan Spooner’s play this year has earned him the right to get a multi-year deal done with the Bruins and build on his success in the organization.

Spooner is once against a restricted free agent with arbitration eligibility this upcoming offseason.  I sincerely hope the Bruins pull out the checkbook and make a deal with Spooner.  He has earned it.  If they could get a 2 or 3 year deal for around $3 million or $3.25 million per year done, I think that would be a great overall landing spot for the team and for Spooner.

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