The Rangers have announced that they have traded forward Ryan Spooner to the Edmonton Oilers in exchange for centerman Ryan Strome.
Spooner, a 26-year-old Ontario Native, was acquired by the Rangers in the trade which sent Rick Nash to the Boston Bruins in February. In the 20 games following the trade last season, Spooner was able to amass 16 points through 20 games with the Rangers. After a successful conclusion to the season, Spooner was given a two-year contract worth an annual value of 4 million dollars. However, the offseason brought many changes for the Rangers, one of them being a new coach in David Quinn. Under a new coach and system, Spooner was unable to replicate what he did with the Rangers last season as he has only 2 points through 16 games with the Rangers this season.
Ryan Strome was selected 5th overall in the 2011 NHL Entry-Draft by the New York Islanders. Strome scored 126 points with the Islanders through 258 games and then was traded to the Oilers in exchange for Jordan Eberle. Last season, Strome scored 34 points in a full season with the Oilers, but this season, much like Spooner, Strome only has 2 points.
The way I see it, this trade can be beneficial to both teams. Strome and Spooner have struggled with their clubs this season, and this trade allows them both to have a clean slate. Strome was a highly touted prospect heading into 2011 and was picked 5th overall, one pick before teammate Mika Zibanejad. Strome has size, speed, and tenacity, making him a much more versatile player than Spooner; and while Strome has not exactly produced like a fifth overall pick should throughout his career so far, he is still young at 25 and who knows? With the right linemates and a hot-hand, Strome can be a valuable player on the Rangers.
Strome, signed to a two-year contract carries an annual cap hit of 3.1 million dollars, and Spooner, also signed to a two-year deal, carries an annual cap hit of 4 million dollars. Per Elliotte Freidman, the Rangers will be retaining 900 thousand dollars on Spooner’s contract, making both players come in as a 3.1 million dollar cap-hit on their new team.
Like I said the way I see it, this trade can be beneficial to both organizations. However, Strome definitely has talent, and I am looking forward to watching him play tomorrow (11/17/18) when the Rangers face the Florida Panthers at the Garden.
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Who the fook is he?!
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