The Boston Bruins re-signed two of their restricted free agents on Wednesday.
The team announced center Ryan Spooner has signed a two-year contract worth $1.9 million. A salary cap hit of $950,000 for Spooner is tremendous value for the B’s. Boston also signed goaltender Jeremy Smith to a one-year, two-way deal worth $600,000 at the NHL level.
Spooner, 23, didn’t make a strong impact for the Bruins until last season. He started to hit his stride after being recalled for a Feb. 22 game against the Chicago Blackhawks. From that point, Spooner tallied 18 points (eight goals, 10 assists) in the final 24 games of the regular season.
His playmaking skill, shot and speed all proved to be valuable additions to a struggling B’s offense. Spooner likely will take over for Carl Soderberg at the third-line center spot. Soderberg signed a five-year deal with the Colorado Avalanche before the 2015 NHL Draft.
Smith, 26, impressed for the AHL’s Providence Bruins last season and should compete for the backup job in Boston next season.
The Bruins also signed forward Matt Beleskey to a five-year contract and acquired forward Jimmy Hayes from the Florida Panthers on Wednesday.
Thumbnail photo via Bob DeChiara/USA TODAY Sports Images
