MacLean: “Ryan Spooner to Vancouver Would Make Sense”

Photo Credit: Gregory Fisher – USA TODAY Sports

The Canucks need scoring, and they haven’t exactly kept that a secret. For as long as Jim Benning’s been Vancouver’s General Manager, it seems, the Canucks have been actively scouring the market for that elusive scoring winger with size.

So it came as some surprise when the Canucks were connected to the Boston Bruins Ryan Spooner on CBC Headlines during tonight’s Hockey Night in Canada. Spooner isn’t the most physically imposing player, and he’s played the majority of his career at centre. You know what he does do, though? He scores goals. And lots of them, too.

The panel didn’t say in specific language that the Canucks are chasing Spooner. I’d file this under speculation, based perhaps on fit and history. The Canucks are playing Michael Chaput in the middle of their second line, are struggling to score and are run by the same executive that scouted Spooner extensively during his time as a Bruin.

It’s a logical conclusion to draw, and you can hardly fault them connecting the dots. This wouldn’t be the first time Vancouver was connected to Spooner either.

Spooner, 24-years-old, has three goals and five assists on the season, good for eight points. A season ago, Spooner produced 49 points playing mostly on the Bruins third line, alongside Jimmy Hayes and Matt Beleskey. He’s a solid power play contributor, too, as his 17 points with the man advantage last season can attest.

There’s no telling what the Bruins asking price is, but I imagine it starts on the blue line.

We’ll provide further updates on this situation, should they develop.