Haggerty: Spooner deal represents his last chance with Bruins

The Bruins and Ryan Spooner wisely came to a contract agreement on a one-year, $2.825 million deal just prior to the start of Wednesday’s arbitration hearing. Don Sweeney hasn’t yet taken a B’s player to arbitration during his three years running the Black and Gold, and it could have grown unnecessarily contentious with a player like Spooner if they’d been forced to point out his flaws as a player in the uncomfortable setting of an arbitration hearing. “It’s a fair deal for both sides in our opinion,” said Spooner’s agent Murray Kuntz to CSN after the one-year contract had been agreed upon.  Now that Spooner has been signed to the one-year deal, it represents the last chance for the 25-year-old

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  Ryan Spooner, Bruins Avoid Arbitration With Reported $2.825M Contract

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  Fresh Links: Ryan Spooner Needs GRIT, A Harvard Legacy

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Islanders Season in Review: John Tavares

Andy Graziano and I have begun our annual season review, taking a look back at the 2016-17 Islanders and analyzing each player's performance in a down season that saw the team miss the playoffs by one point. We will be offering two reviews per week that will take us right through to the beginning of training camp in September. Of course, there are a couple of things to sort out prior, such as free agency and potential trades that could alter the look of this franchise going forward. Contract details via nhlnumbers.com and stats courtesy of hockeyreference.com. 91 - John Tavares - Center 6-1, 211lbs 26 years old Contract: $6.000 m cap hit, signed through 2017-18 (UFA) Season: 77 GP, 28 G - 38

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  Gang Green Nation

Could A Matt Duchene Trade Make Sense?

Even though Matt Duchene was voted as the player “most likely to be traded this summer” by Bob McKenzie, it’s the end of July and he’s still with the Colorado Avalanche. There has been plenty of interest in the young center (as he is a very good player) but a trade has yet to materialize. It may be because GM Joe Sakic is asking too much or there just hasn’t been a good fit is up for debate, but Duchene is still on the block and available, as both parties could use a fresh start. Could the New York Rangers be a good trading partner? Sakic and GM Jeff Gorton have some familiarity between each other, as Nick Holden was sent to New York for a fourth round pick last year before the season started.