Ryan Spooner - Part II

[bruinsfan1970]

Here we have Ryan Spooner Part II......Have at it........

Click to read more...

 

[Gee Wally]

He's better at 3rd line center than Kelly.

Discuss.

 

[Nose Face Killah]

Spooner has more points in 14 games played this season then Kelly has in 29 games played this season.

 

[TheBigBadB]

He's better at 3rd line center than Kelly.

Discuss.

Hello gasoline!

 

[Mainehockey33]

I wrote out a longer post about how Spooner is a better fit than Kelly on the 3rd line but lost it due to spotty wifi.

tldr version: I've seen no logical argument on why Kelly should be on the 3rd line over Spooner. It's like the Kellyists are so one sided they will try anything to discredit Spooner at this point. It's funny how they never criticize Kelly for blown assignments or ****** turnovers, but yes, the defensive stalwart does screw up as well. The thing about it is that he doesn't chip in offensively to make up for it.

 

[Gee Wally]

Hello gasoline!

I'm bored.



Plus I still value Kelly.......just as a fourth line center/PK specialist.

Win/win......but, wtf do I know ?

 

[DKH]

He loves dogs, Knight, and Cheesecake Factory. 'Nuff said

 

[Gee Wally]

He loves dogs, Knight, and Cheesecake Factory. 'Nuff said

Whoa.....Cheesecake Factory does. Great brunch.....I love a great brunch.

 

[Ladyfan]

He's better at 3rd line center than Kelly.

Discuss.

This is a true statement.

I like Kelly but...
You are a funny man Wally .

 

[NiKrejci]

Spooner might have a defensive gaffe from time to time, but so does Kelly(remember the pittsburgh game?). The difference? Spooner goes and sets up Boychuk with a gorgeous play to make up for it. Kid has sickening talent.

 

[Minny Shinny]

I wrote out a longer post about how Spooner is a better fit than Kelly on the 3rd line but lost it due to spotty wifi.

tldr version: I've seen no logical argument on why Kelly should be on the 3rd line over Spooner. It's like the Kellyists are so one sided they will try anything to discredit Spooner at this point. It's funny how they never criticize Kelly for blown assignments or ****** turnovers, but yes, the defensive stalwart does screw up as well. The thing about it is that he doesn't chip in offensively to make up for it.

Never, eh? I'm betting you're wrong on that if you want to detract that blanket statement before I go and show otherwise.

See, this is the problem with this conversation. People are gonna see what they want to see, even if it's not the truth, that no one's even listening anymore. Everyone's taken their sides, reverted to their sound bites, and nicknames, and instead of trying to listen to the other side (and note I said no one has to agree, just to listen), folks will just take comments made by each side and use them as little darts in this game of one-upsmanship.

I made what I thought were some good points in the last Spooner thread (without reverting to any snark as I am want to do) about how realistic an option it was to deconstruct the Merlot line to get this 4th line that everyone seems to envision considering what we know about this Bruins organization as a whole and got almost little to no discussion to that.

These have been reasonably decent discussions with the occasional ******* making some sort of snide "fanboy/girl" comment and all the ridiculous variations of such. I'm willing to keep it going on that end and think I've done a decent job of doing as such. If people don't wanna do that, then I won't.

It is what it is.

 

[ReggieMoto]

Spooner might have a defensive gaffe from time to time, but so does Kelly(remember the pittsburgh game?). The difference? Spooner goes and sets up Boychuk with a gorgeous play to make up for it. Kid has sickening talent.

Yeah, Kelly has never set anyone up ever.

 

[Mr. Make-Believe]

Never, eh? I'm betting you're wrong on that if you want to detract that blanket statement before I go and show otherwise.

See, this is the problem with this conversation. People are gonna see what they want to see, even if it's not the truth, that no one's even listening anymore. Everyone's taken their sides, reverted to their sound bites, and nicknames, and instead of trying to listen to the other side (and note I said no one has to agree, just to listen), folks will just take comments made by each side and use them as little darts in this game of one-upsmanship.

I made what I thought were some good points in the last Spooner thread (without reverting to any snark as I am want to do) about how realistic an option it was to deconstruct the Merlot line to get this 4th line that everyone seems to envision considering what we know about this Bruins organization as a whole and got almost little to no discussion to that.

These have been reasonably decent discussions with the occasional ******* making some sort of snide "fanboy/girl" comment and all the ridiculous variations of such. I'm willing to keep it going on that end and think I've done a decent job of doing as such. If people don't wanna do that, then I won't.

It is what it is.

Actually I have yet to see the argument for Kelly over Spooner for the third line.

 

[Minny Shinny]

Yeah, Kelly has never set anyone up ever.

Third line stunk all year before Spooner arrived. :insertsarcasmemotehere:

Short memories around here. Lather, rinse, repeat as needed.

 

[ReggieMoto]

<Delete>

 

[DKH]

Spooner might have a defensive gaffe from time to time, but so does Kelly(remember the pittsburgh game?). The difference? Spooner goes and sets up Boychuk with a gorgeous play to make up for it. Kid has sickening talent.

He is smooth and he has an extra gear; he also has strong playmaking ability but I've seen him try a force it at times- he needs to trust his shot; I think he went to a very good shooting camp last summer so we need to see the fruits of his labor. And the shot is above average in all the critical's - accuracy, speed, quickness....he is 20+ a year

 

[TheBigBadB]

I'm bored.



Plus I still value Kelly.......just as a fourth line center/PK specialist.

Win/win......but, wtf do I know ?

100% agreed Kelly makes the PK better, Spooner makes the PP better...There is just no loss here with Kelly on the 4th line

 

[Mainehockey33]

He is smooth and he has an extra gear; he also has strong playmaking ability but I've seen him try a force it at times- he needs to trust his shot; I think he went to a very good shooting camp last summer so we need to see the fruits of his labor. And the shot is above average in all the critical's - accuracy, speed, quickness....he is 20+ a year

That's my one gripe with him on the power play, he should shoot more.


Time to go play some hockey and try that 10-2 move, hopefully I don't break something

 

[Artemis]

He loves dogs, Knight, and Cheesecake Factory. 'Nuff said

Looks like Knight is being replaced...

Ryan Spooner ‏@RSpooner2376 1 Jan

Watching winter classic with @jord38caron and relaxing #goodday

Ryan Spooner ‏@RSpooner2376 3h

Going to watch Wolf on Wallstreet with guess who... @jord38caron. Then hes making me a salmon dinner #whatagentlemen

Serious bromance brewing here.

 

[Minny Shinny]

Actually I have yet to see the argument for Kelly over Spooner for the third line.

To make the argument that you keep Spooner on the third line when Kelly returns, you're asking Kelly to play on the fourth. That's fine in a static situation. Problem is that you're also now considering the decision of what makes up your fourth line.

To do that, you're asking either Thornton, Campbell or Paille to play as occasional 13th forwards. Most likely Thornton on most days. A good part of the identity of this team is illustrated by that Merlot line as constructed. The organization believes it, the coaching staff believes it, based on how many times we've (happily or unhappily) seen that line out there at the end of games (when it was intact). I would be very surprised that the organization chooses to do that. I could be wrong. It's all speculative at this point. I think they'll want to see how that Spooner-centered line fares out West against those big 3 in the Pacific Division before that decision needs to be made.

I think the argument, fair or unfair, lies in the fact that there simply isn't room up the middle, at the moment, as this team is currently constructed, for Spooner to play center. I suspect that changes next year. I would not be at all surprised to see Kelly gone at the end of the season with the emergence of Spooner (although I also think that's not the best use of his talent...if people really believe the ceiling on the kid, he's better served to center the first and second lines, and those are locked up for several years on this squad, but that's another discussion altogether).

That's the philosophical/organizational discussion, and even before we get into the discussion about how the third line looked before Kelly went down, how much more/less productive the wings are before/after, strength of opponent and all that jazz that's somewhere in previous Kelly/Spooner threads.

 

[Minny Shinny]

Sorry. I did not realize we were only talking about "The Spooner Era." I thought we might be talking about, you know, careers or at least the last several seasons.

Weren't you the one just complaining about the tone of the conversation in this thread? Like you said, it is what it is.

I added an edit after you did this, so my fault if that was lost in translation.

I was agreeing with you in a sarcastic and likely inappropriate fashion. I've no problem being checked on it.

 

[ReggieMoto]

I added an edit after you did this, so my fault if that was lost in translation.

I was agreeing with you in a sarcastic and likely inappropriate fashion. I've no problem being checked on it.

Fair enough. Thanks for the clarification.

 

[RussellmaniaKW]

To make the argument that you keep Spooner on the third line when Kelly returns, you're asking Kelly to play on the fourth. That's fine in a static situation. Problem is that you're also now considering the decision of what makes up your fourth line.

To do that, you're asking either Thornton, Campbell or Paille to play as occasional 13th forwards. Most likely Thornton on most days. A good part of the identity of this team is illustrated by that Merlot line as constructed. The organization believes it, the coaching staff believes it, based on how many times we've (happily or unhappily) seen that line out there at the end of games (when it was intact). I would be very surprised that the organization chooses to do that. I could be wrong. It's all speculative at this point. I think they'll want to see how that Spooner-centered line fares out West against those big 3 in the Pacific Division before that decision needs to be made.

I think the argument, fair or unfair, lies in the fact that there simply isn't room up the middle, at the moment, as this team is currently constructed, for Spooner to play center. I suspect that changes next year. I would not be at all surprised to see Kelly gone at the end of the season with the emergence of Spooner (although I also think that's not the best use of his talent...if people really believe the ceiling on the kid, he's better served to center the first and second lines, and those are locked up for several years on this squad, but that's another discussion altogether).

That's the philosophical/organizational discussion, and even before we get into the discussion about how the third line looked before Kelly went down, how much more/less productive the wings are before/after, strength of opponent and all that jazz that's somewhere in previous Kelly/Spooner threads.

I think it will be a rotation between Spooner and Thornton, but NOT for the same spot. When Spooner dresses he'll center the 3rd line and Kelly will play on the 4th. When Thornton dresses, Kelly centers the 3rd line and Thornton in his usual spot. I don't see Campbell, Kelly, or Paille sitting unless they need a maintenance day.

In other words I don't think Spooner will be the full-time 3rd line center *yet* but I would be really surprised and disappointed if they send him back to providence. The things he needs to get better at he can only get better at in the NHL IMO so it would be pointless to send him down now. He should become the 13th forward with the understanding that when he does dress, someone else moves to wing.

 

[Minny Shinny]

I think it will be a rotation between Spooner and Thornton, but NOT for the same spot. When Spooner dresses he'll center the 3rd line and Kelly will play on the 4th. When Thornton dresses, Kelly centers the 3rd line and Thornton in his usual spot. I don't see Campbell, Kelly, or Paille sitting unless they need a maintenance day.

In other words I don't think Spooner will be the full-time 3rd line center *yet* but I would be really surprised and disappointed if they send him back to providence. The things he needs to get better at he can only get better at in the NHL IMO so it would be pointless to send him down now. He should become the 13th forward with the understanding that when he does dress, someone else moves to wing.

See, now this is an interesting scenario and one I haven't seen yet, or I'm just not paying attention, which is always possible. I think the organization's in a rock and a hard place with this decision with the curse of depth (and by curse, I mean thank god you, me, or anyone else here doesn't have to make the decision....and plus, what a great insulation in case of injury as we've seen). They want more time for him but perhaps aren't sure where he'll get it, and this idea almost seems an extended compromise to both ends.

I'm curious as to what the Spooner proponents think of this plan; he remains in Boston playing center on the third line, but not playing full-time. I haven't seen anyone suggest he play the 13th forward role, but it was under the widely-assumed idea he'd center the fourth, which would be a waste.

 

[TheBigBadB]

See, now this is an interesting scenario and one I haven't seen yet, or I'm just not paying attention, which is always possible. I think the organization's in a rock and a hard place with this decision with the curse of depth (and by curse, I mean thank god you, me, or anyone else here doesn't have to make the decision....and plus, what a great insulation in case of injury as we've seen). They want more time for him but perhaps aren't sure where he'll get it, and this idea almost seems an extended compromise to both ends.

I'm curious as to what the Spooner proponents think of this plan; he remains in Boston playing center on the third line, but not playing full-time. I haven't seen anyone suggest he play the 13th forward role, but it was under the widely-assumed idea he'd center the fourth, which would be a waste.

Its not a bad idea, but I think its still going to be Thornton coming in and out of the lineup. Julien was already doing this with Caron and Thornton. Now he has and even better option with Campbell Thornton rotating. Spooner needs to play and not sit at least in the regular season.

Playoffs is a whole different beast though and we have seen times where rising young stars are sat for veteran presence and I can see that happening this year too.