New York Rangers acquire Ryan Strome for Ryan Spooner

On the afternoon of Friday, November 16th, 2018, the New York Rangers traded Ryan Spooner to the Edmonton Oilers in exchange for Ryan Strome.

Besides their first name, something else that Ryan Strome and Ryan Spooner have in common is that they were both involved in high profile trades last season.

Strome, after being drafted fifth overall in 2011 by the New York Islanders, was sent to the Oilers for Jordan Eberle in a one-for-one deal back in summer 2017. As for Spooner, he came to New York in a trade deadline deal  with Matt Beleskey, Ryan Lindgren, and a first-round selection in the 2018 draft, in exchange for Rick Nash.

This afternoon, Strome became a member of the Rangers in yet another one-for-one deal, this one involving Spooner being shipped off to Edmonton.

So far this year, Strome has just two points (one goal and one assist) in 18 games. Centering Edmonton’s third line, he is averaging about 14 minutes per game. Last season, he notched 34 points (13 goals and 21 assists) in 82 games, his best season since scoring 50 points in his rookie year.

Spooner also has only two points so far this year, one goal and one assist as well, in 16 games. Last season, he had a total of 41 points (13 goals and 28 assists) in 59 games between the Bruins and Rangers.

Based on just that, the trade already seems pretty even.

While Strome has never lived up to the expectations that come with being a top five pick,  he hasn’t exactly been on amazing teams. He was a member of the Islanders until summer 2017 (almost never playing with the team’s better players like John Tavares) and then the Oilers until today (almost never playing with the team’s better players like Connor McDavid).

Besides the point droughts and bad luck, he could actually be a great addition to the team. The former first-round pick is a versatile skater, being able to switch from wing to center, take faceoffs, and kill penalties. A change of scenery could help him drastically.

Though only 25-years old he has already played over 350 games in the NHL.   His age and experience makes him somewhat of a veteran on this young Ranger team as well.

Spooner, at 26 years old, could also bring some veteran presence to a struggling Oilers team. It seems like both organizations are essentially getting the same player, on the ice and in the locker room.

Financially, the deal is a wash.  New York will be retaining $900,000 of Spooner’s $4 million salary. Since Strome is being paid $3.1 million for this year and next season,  both teams’ salary caps are left virtually unchanged.

Considering David Quinn’s success in working with young players and reclamation projects like Tony DeAngelo, this seems like a smart move for the New York Rangers. Welcome to the other New York team, Ryan Strome!