NHL Trade Rumors: Ryan Spooner drawing interest from Canucks, Golden Knights, Devils

Boston Bruins forward Ryan Spooner might be on the move.

The Boston Bruins are going to be one of the most interesting teams to watch this NHL offseason. They have some very hard decisions to make thanks to the expansion draft. One of these difficult decisions involves restricted free agent forward Ryan Spooner.

He saw his playing time from 2015-16 to 2016-17 diminish by over a full minute per game. After putting up 49 points last season, Spooner got 39 points this season. He’s never been great at face-offs, but he won less than 40 percent of them during the regular season. Spooner has become a bit of a surplus part in Boston and he could be on his way out.

If the Bruins do shop him, they won’t have to look far for suitors. A change in scenery could help both parties. Spooner needs more consistent playing time and it’s become painfully obvious that’s not happening in Boston. He’s drawing interest from no fewer than three teams, according to Ryan Kennedy of The Hockey News.

Of these teams, Vegas makes the most sense. Depending on their strategy, they could be interested in forwards like Spooner – young and full of potential. Even if that’s not their strategy, he makes sense because he can be relied on to give you at least 35 points in a full season. Players like Spooner don’t grow on trees.

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The New Jersey Devils also make a lot of sense. They need skilled centers, as Adam Henrique carries a heavy load and Travis Zajac isn’t getting any younger. Vancouver would make sense for a very similar reason. Spooner could fetch the Bruins an extra draft pick or perhaps a prospect or two. But they’ve likely ruined a good portion of his value at this point. This is poor asset management by Boston.