The Rangers Inconsequential Trade: Strome for Spooner
It has been 33 days since the New York Rangers traded recently re-signed Ryan Spooner to Edmonton for Ryan Strome. Since that time, Strome has been up and down for the Blueshirts and Spooner only sees the ice an average of 9:49 per game.
Through the first 14 games of his Rangers career, Strome has been up and down the lineup. He registered a shot on goal in only seven games, and his face-off numbers have been good despite a low amount of draws.
Primarily paired with a breakout star in Brett Howden and a next level Jimmy Vesey, Strome has been a see-saw thus far. With two goals and four assists since coming over to New York, these last 15 games have not been special but still reputable, nonetheless.
Another thing that Strome is benefiting from in his new home, is the upscale in time on ice. He hops over the boards and spends an average of 14:55 per game.
Compared to Ryan Spooner, who has also been able to find the net twice thus far, the players are comparable. The parallels between these two are going to be a mirror. This trade didn’t have upside or downside. Both players, who have very similar contracts as well, will inevitably have the same individual finish. Spooner is on pace for 12 points at the end of this season.
Can Strome reach another level, something that has yet to be seen? His career high for points in a season is 50, when he was apart of the New York Islanders in 2014. He is currently on pace for 20 points, if he suits up for the next 50 games. That is not necessarily ideal, but it is slightly better than Spooner.
Strome has been up and down in his 14 games as a New York Ranger. His offensive production has been better than Spooner, but the ability to garner shots to the opposing goalie is not. Strome has been able to register a measly 11 shots on goal so far, which is vastly less then when he was in Edmonton, with 30.
It is not only Strome with this problem of getting pucks to the net. The entire blueshirts roster is also at fault. Since Nov. 17, Strome’s first game in blue against the Florida Panthers, the Rangers have been outshot 466 to 372. In those 14 games, they have been able to outshoot opponents four times. It’s been a team collapse in shooting the puck.
Going forward, the emphasis will be that Strome must contribute. He has a considerable slash in minutes over the past three games due to the lines re-balancing. Strome is alongside Boo Nieves and Lias Andersson, who both may be swapping between the AHL level and NHL level the rest of this season.
Was gaining Ryan Strome worth it? Wouldn’t a deadline deal of Spooner for a draft pick and shedding salary made more sense? Sound off below.
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