Ryan Spooner to Edmonton for Ryan Strome, even with salary retained, was one of Jeff Gorton’s best trades of the season. The Rangers sent Spooner, who was less than a spare part, to the Oilers for a 25 year old former top-five pick who needed a change of scenery. At the very worst, it was a wash for both teams. But this wasn’t the very worst. This was a trade that worked out in spades.
For all his struggles in Edmonton, Strome really clicked offensively in New York. His line of 18-15-33 in 63 games with the Blueshirts (1-1-2 in 18 with Edmonton) helped him set a career high in goals and left him one shy of 20 for the season.