Ryan Spooner signs in Switzerland
4 years ago
Ex-Canuck Ryan Spooner has signed a one-year contract with Switzerland’s HC Lugano.
Vancouver was the third NHL team Spooner played for last season. The 27-year-old forward signed a two-year, $8 million contract with the Rangers last offseason, but was traded to the Oilers for Ryan Strome 16 games into the season. The Canucks acquired Spooner at the trade deadline from the Oilers in exchange for Sam Gagner.
Spooner played 11 games for the Canucks last season, managing four assists and averaging 12:18 of ice time. He dealt with an undisclosed injury towards the end of last season and was a healthy scratch in the blowout loss to Columbus. You can read CanucksArmy’s Year in Review for Ryan Spooner here.
The Canucks placed Spooner on unconditional waivers for the purpose of a buyout at the end of June. The Canucks saved some cap space with the move, as Spooner was set to have the seventh-highest cap hit on the Vancouver’s roster heading into the offseason. The Canucks freed up almost $3M with the move and will be hit with a $1,033,333 cap hit for the next two seasons.
It didn’t appear likely that the Canucks would bring Spooner back at the end of last season, but it’s somewhat surprising no NHL team wanted to take a chance on him. Still only 27 years of age, Spooner managed around 40 points in three consecutives seasons before a disappointing three-team stint in 2018-19.
Wishing the best for the ex-Canuck with his new team in Switzerland.
