Speculation: Would you trade a future-Krejci for a future-Horton?

[finchster]

Normally I'd agree with Bill, but Spooner is such a good skater I don't want that to leave the organization. We should try him on the wing first before dealing him, if he doesn't fit the team I am not against moving him but we should try everything before moving on from young talented players.

 

[Mainehockey33]

I don't trade him, even if he's not into the Bruins long term plans, they still need more time to evaluate both Spooner and Soderberg. I think his stock can only go up from here so if you did wait until next season to trade him, I think the return would be better...

That being said I think he's going to turn into a great player and I want him on the Bruins, why ship out the first real prospect we've had in awhile?

 

[BobbyClarkeFan16]

I wouldn't trade a future-Krejci for a future-Horton. Part of the reason is that if a player is a future-Krejci, he's going to be outstanding in the playoffs (to me, Krejci has probably been the best forward in the playoffs the past 4 to 5 years). While it's nice to have a performer during the regular season, championships are won in the playoffs.

 

[SPV]

Here are some of the top Winger prospects I think you'd be looking at, some obviously you'd have to add one way or the other:

Yakupov
Bartschi
Toffoli
Teravainen
Chiasson
Ritchie
Zucker
Forsberg
Rattie
Kristo
Miller
Tom Wilson
Etem
Gaudreau
Pearson
Nieto
Armia
Mantha
Jurco
Collberg
Panik
Kucherov

I think I'd move Spooner for some names on that list. Bergeron & Krejci are here for the long term, and Soderberg is a natural center. Makes sense to trade a strength for a weakness.

 

[Trap Jesus]

I'm surprised some people are even debating this. There's no way in hell I'd do that. Krejci's easily our second best forward (and best offensive forward). He's absolutely a vital part of the team, and I wouldn't part with him for a streaky winger, only for Soderberg/Spooner to replace him.

 

[thegodfather]

My question is how long do we give Spooner to make the jump and take a spot from someone.

From what I've read on these boards his play seems to be split down the middle, some think he's not ready and some believe he's ready now.

I only get to watch the odd game but I remember watching some when Kelly was out and Spooner was in and remember at least 2 games where I never heard his name mentioned.

Not sure if that's good or bad. I remember the odd game not hearing Looch's name but wouldn't trade him either.

For me you trade from your strength and Boston's strength is down the middle. So here's my question for everyone.

If the goal of the GM is to make his team stronger and acquire more pieces to add depth would it not make sense to then trade a more established player then say a kid who hasn't stood out yet ?

 

[Saxon Eric]

Soderberg seems to be settling in nicely in the 3C role. If you recall, Chiarelli said he thought this guy could be a 2nd line center in the NHL, and that certainly looks like a possibility right now. He's big, he's strong, he plays an active, determined game and he has some good chemistry with Eriksson. He still has some work to do on face-offs, but he's got 5pts in the 5 games he's played in the middle and looks extremely comfortable there.

So where does that leave Ryan Spooner?

I love this kid. I think the skating and skill level he brings give him first line potential. But like Tyler Seguin, is he going to get a shot in the middle? It would take a mountain to move Krejci or Bergeron out of their spots, and Soderberg's combination of size, skill and drive is a real nice fit for a Boston Bruin 3rd line, one that IMO, really needs to be both offensive AND tough to play against.

So, if all this holds and Soderberg continues to cement himself into that 3c role the rest of the way and in the playoffs, then what are our options with Ryan Spooner? Would you try to convert him to wing? Do you put Soderberg back against the wall where he wall where he was less effective? Or do you consider moving Spooner for someone of equal age, talent and upside but at a position that we need or may need down the line. (i.e. A triggerman for the Krejci line once Iginla moves on.)

Tough call for me personally. I've been a huge Spooner fan for a long time and I love seeing him be recognized by the board for his talent and upside. At the same time, this team has no succession plan in place for that RW spot next to Krejci, and we're beyond deep down the middle (and in goal, and on defense, and in LH'd forwards).

Thoughts?

Yes I'd do it

While very talented Spooner doesn't play Boston Bruins hockey the way Claude wants his centers to play, the stuff that management said about improving his O game is window dressing IMO, the kid is still easily pushed off the puck, lacks commitment in his own end and will never get a sniff on the PK never mind a willingness to block shots, I just don't see a future for him here at this point.

 

[MTaylorJ1]

Yes I'd do it

While very talented Spooner doesn't play Boston Bruins hockey the way Claude wants his centers to play, the stuff that management said about improving his O game is window dressing IMO, the kid is still easily pushed off the puck, lacks commitment in his own end and will never get a sniff on the PK never mind a willingness to block shots, I just don't see a future for him here at this point.

As much as I love the Boston Bruins. I loathe the term Boston Bruins hockey. The cold war era Soviets we are not. If you're traditionally not one of the dominant teams in the NHL, shouldn't you kind of, I don't know, NOT adhere to a certain style of play.

Also, the Bruins are in the bottom half of the league in blocked shots and Spooner did get a sniff on the PK.

 

[Si Hopkins]

I'm surprised some people are even debating this. There's no way in hell I'd do that. Krejci's easily our second best forward (and best offensive forward). He's absolutely a vital part of the team, and I wouldn't part with him for a streaky winger, only for Soderberg/Spooner to replace him.

Nobody's debating this actually.

 

[BNHL]

As much as I love the Boston Bruins. I loathe the term Boston Bruins hockey. The cold war era Soviets we are not. If you're traditionally not one of the dominant teams in the NHL, shouldn't you kind of, I don't know, NOT adhere to a certain style of play.

Also, the Bruins are in the bottom half of the league in blocked shots and Spooner did get a sniff on the PK.

Well,I think teams identify the Bruins by their present style and winning system. All players (Seguin,Wheeler) don't fit.

 

[8thRoundPick]

Agree I would trade Spooner provided the Bruins can sign Krecji. Krecji is going to be looking for Bergy type money.

And he deserves every penny. Signed long term, the B's would have a lot of their core locked up.

 

[Coach Parker]

Ladies and gentlemen you move him right now, today, at this moment for Zach Kassian. Vancouver gets a solid 3rd line C for their 3rd line RW.

Lucic - Krejci - Kassian

 

[MTaylorJ1]

Well,I think teams identify the Bruins by their present style and winning system. All players (Seguin,Wheeler) don't fit.

My personal opinion is that our success has had much less to do with style and system and more to do with our core 4 forwards, Chara, and Vezina level goaltending.

 

[member 96824]

Yes I'd do it

While very talented Spooner doesn't play Boston Bruins hockey the way Claude wants his centers to play, the stuff that management said about improving his O game is window dressing IMO, the kid is still easily pushed off the puck, lacks commitment in his own end and will never get a sniff on the PK never mind a willingness to block shots, I just don't see a future for him here at this point.

I bet your mind blew when he hit the ice to block a shot ON the PK...don't remember which game that was, Buffalo?

Claude was running Spooner on the PK pretty consistently before he hurt his ankle. This kid is completely 100% coachable, does the right things, says the right things, and actually puts work into the areas he is weak. "Lacks commitment" is an embarassing admittance that you just simply didn't watch him and instead will try and paint him with the broad stroke that all finese style players get.

But he's not a big bad bruiser, so trade him! Because ya know, those types won so much in the 80s and 90s.

 

[qc]

Nobody's debating this actually.

 

[MTaylorJ1]

Ladies and gentlemen you move him right now, today, at this moment for Zach Kassian. Vancouver gets a solid 3rd line C for their 3rd line RW.

Lucic - Krejci - Kassian

Has Kassian shown at any point in his career he can play on the top line of a contender?

That's an easy no for me.

 

[Neely08]

Love what Spooner potentially brings. Right off the bat his speed is something we lack down the middle, and not exactly abundant in all the places we could use it at wing. How long have we been awaiting Savard's heir apparent on the PP? (Not as concerned as I used to be a/b the PP, but you catch my drift)

I loved Kessel when he was here, mostly, Tyler Seguin as well. Both skilled, both fast, both dealt b/c they didn't fit into the puzzle. Seguin specifically to improve the team's chances of competing for a Cup right now. Would you prefer to still have Kessel right now? Or potentially Krejci, or Lucic, and a parade in 2011? (I forget who would have been on the hook if we matched Toronto)

All I know for sure is, I'd much rather be contemplating these types of deals than wondering who is going to give up a ransom of rebuild picks for Vanek, etc.

I think the people saying it's what Soda really delivers in the playoffs that determines any conversation a/b Spoons, are correct. Assuming he does, it's hard to discount the idea based on past events. It's all a/b results in the playoffs, now, period.

 

[Mr. Make-Believe]

...

The primary reason Spooner isn't up and playing center on the third line right NOW, is because he got hurt or sick or whatever happened to him. He was well on his way to providing a unique element for the Bruins on a mostly nightly basis before that time.

My opinion may change if Soderberg continues to excel up the middle. But for right now, I see no reason to make that trade.

 

[Dellstrom]

Yes. I'd trade Spooner for a wing with equal potential, and a similar development track. Absolutely. For a future Horton.. ehh... Not sure about that.

Koko is riskier, but he has ~2nd line ceiling. One of him or Spooner are very expendable and Chia has proven that. Bergeron and Krejci are both young. I love Spooner and want to keep him, but I'd do it. Speculating, or is there someone in mind?

 

[patty59]

My personal opinion is that our success has had much less to do with style and system and more to do with our core 4 forwards, Chara, and Vezina level goaltending.

Those 4 forwards and Chara play a certain style and system, no?

I do like Spooner, but wonder what his future here looks like. I doubt you'd be able to deal him for a future-Horton anyways. He's a nice piece, but I doubt he's a centerpiece of a deal for an impact player.

 

[patty59]

...

The primary reason Spooner isn't up and playing center on the third line right NOW, is because he got hurt or sick or whatever happened to him. He was well on his way to providing a unique element for the Bruins on a mostly nightly basis before that time.

My opinion may change if Soderberg continues to excel up the middle. But for right now, I see no reason to make that trade.

I'm not so sure about that. Claude wanted Kelly back and we all knew it was just a matter of time before he was back in his spot on the 3rd line, I do think Spooner's injury made it easier, but IMO, it was just a matter of time.

 

[patty59]

Yes. I'd trade Spooner for a wing with equal potential, and a similar development track. Absolutely. For a future Horton.. ehh... Not sure about that.

Koko is riskier, but he has ~2nd line ceiling. One of him or Spooner are very expendable and Chia has proven that. Bergeron and Krejci are both young. I love Spooner and want to keep him, but I'd do it. Speculating, or is there someone in mind?

Really? I would be shocked if Spooner had a career as good as Horton's. He's put up solid numbers every year he's played and he cracked the NHL in his draft year. If we could get someone like that for Spooner it's a no-brainer, but it's also very unlikely.

 

[Bruinswillwin77]

Trade for Ovechkin!

 

[Flannelman]

It's a tough question Bill.

Certainly a compelling enough of an argument on either side of the coin. I think he (The Spoons) can play on this team and future iterations - but looking at next year: will Soderberg and returning winger from this trade be more difficult to play against than Spooner centering Soda? I think that's the real question.

Ultimately, it is about icing a better team, a harder team to play against, a deeper team who can score from any line. So if the deal is right, you jump. But that's easy to say and harder to pull off.

Someone mentioned Emerson Etem and that'd probably be my pick of the litter and I'm still not sure I'd do that; I like the potential of that prospect but he's struggled, too. They all have learning curves.

 

[EON]

Dump all the assets and tank next season, acquire McDavid, move Krejci to RW. Problem solved.