Ryan Spooner offered encouraging play in his first 20 games as a Ranger after being acquired from the Boston Bruins near the 2018 trade deadline. Now, he will have the opportunity to impress from Day 1 of next season after agreeing to a two-year contract with the Blueshirts.
Spooner will earn an average of $4 million a year over his new deal. After joining the Rangers, Spooner recorded 16 points (four goals and 12 assists) in 20 games. In combined duty with the Bruins and Rangers, he tallied 41 points (13 goals and 28 assists) in 59 games.
What was most impressive about Spooner’s cameo last season was how productive he was on a Rangers team that was deadline sellers. His 0.80 points per game in the final 20 games far exceeded his career average of 0.58.
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More on Spooner from Rangers PR:
“He established career-highs in points per game (0.69), plus/minus rating, and average ice time (15:18), and he also tied his career-high in goals. Spooner was one of two NHL players who registered at least 40 points and was assessed four or fewer penalty minutes in 2017-18 (along with Ryan O’Reilly). Spooner’s 0.69 points per game average this past season was the second-most among NHL players who skated in at least 20 games and averaged fewer than 16:00 of ice time per game (Thomas Vanek – 0.70). Spooner tallied 16 points (four goals, 12 assists) in 20 games with the Rangers after he was acquired on February 25, 2018, and he tied for the team lead in assists and points from the time he was acquired until the end of the regular season. He registered seven points (one goal, six assists) in his first three games with the Rangers and posted a multi-point game in all three contests, becoming the first player in franchise history to record six assists in his first three games as a Ranger and post a multi-point game in each of his first three contests as a Ranger.”
Spooner was the last of the Rangers’ restricted free agents to agree to a new contract. The 26-year-old should be entering the prime years of his career. Time will tell if he can become a leading offensive force for the Blueshirts.
What stands out about Spooner’s game is his vision, his ability to produce on the power play and his center-wing versatility. He also rarely commits penalties. Spooner only was called for four penalty minutes in 59 games last season. He finished 26th in Lady Byng voting in 2017-18.
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Until the Rangers begin September’s training camp, it’s hard to say whether new head coach David Quinn envisions Spooner lining up at center or wing.
There’s going to be a lot of preseason competition at center with Spooner, Mika Zibanejad, Kevin Hayes, Vladislav Namestnikov, Lias Andersson, Filip Chytil, Brett Howden, Boo Nieves, Peter Holland and other centers in the system looking to impress Quinn.
Either way, Spooner is capable of producing offense wherever Quinn prefers him to play.