This article is part of our Getting The Call series.
Ryan Spooner - F - Boston
With the recent injuries that the Bruins have suffered, it was expected that a few players would be recalled from Providence. Among those getting the call was forward Ryan Spooner, who is primarily a setup man in his 20 games with the "Baby B's," scoring four goals and providing 17 assists. Only 21 years old, Spooner has been able to contribute a point-per-game pace at the AHL level, and in his three games so far with the NHL Bruins, he's managed two assists. For a team that rolls lines as well as Boston does, it is not a reach to expect some contribution from Spooner, as the former second-round pick has been able to produce offensively at every level he's played. With Reilly Smith or Carl Soderberg, the more likely players to replace Loui Eriksson on the second line, Spooner should slide in on the third line and play somewhere between 10-12 minutes a night with limited looks on the power play. However, good hockey sense and play making ability on a very good team can garner him worthy fantasy consideration.
SHORT TERM FANTASY OUTLOOK: There may be better waiver wire options in your league, but monitor his first couple games and ice time to consider grabbing him in deeper formats.
LONG TERM FANTASY OUTLOOK: When the injured Bruins return to the roster, it would be safe to assume Spooner will be sent back to Providence to develop his game. However, he
Ryan Spooner - F - Boston
With the recent injuries that the Bruins have suffered, it was expected that a few players would be recalled from Providence. Among those getting the call was forward Ryan Spooner, who is primarily a setup man in his 20 games with the "Baby B's," scoring four goals and providing 17 assists. Only 21 years old, Spooner has been able to contribute a point-per-game pace at the AHL level, and in his three games so far with the NHL Bruins, he's managed two assists. For a team that rolls lines as well as Boston does, it is not a reach to expect some contribution from Spooner, as the former second-round pick has been able to produce offensively at every level he's played. With Reilly Smith or Carl Soderberg, the more likely players to replace Loui Eriksson on the second line, Spooner should slide in on the third line and play somewhere between 10-12 minutes a night with limited looks on the power play. However, good hockey sense and play making ability on a very good team can garner him worthy fantasy consideration.
SHORT TERM FANTASY OUTLOOK: There may be better waiver wire options in your league, but monitor his first couple games and ice time to consider grabbing him in deeper formats.
LONG TERM FANTASY OUTLOOK: When the injured Bruins return to the roster, it would be safe to assume Spooner will be sent back to Providence to develop his game. However, he could be one to watch in the next couple years.
Matt Fraser - F - Boston
As part of the Tyler Seguin trade, Fraser will make his debut with the Bruins after his recent call-up. The 23-year-old former WHLer has played two full seasons in the AHL, putting up pretty good numbers for the Texas Stars. Since coming over to Providence, he has shown a great scoring touch, notching 15 goals in just 22 games. Fraser had two 30-goal seasons in juniors and back-back 30-goal seasons in the AHL. It is unrealistic to think he will come into a very strong Bruins team and light the lamp, but with a history of scoring goals, it might be a possibility, as long as the B's have injuries. Like Spooner, it will be a challenge for Fraser to find top-six minutes on an offensively deep Boston team, but if he can find the right opportunity he may be worth a look.
SHORT TERM FANTASY OUTLOOK: It's tough to get overly excited on this one, but back-to-back 30-goal seasons in the minors is eyebrow raising.
LONG TERM FANTASY OUTLOOK: At the age of 23, Fraser might just be coming into his own in the next year or two, and being part of a blockbuster trade could mean he will get every opportunity to justify management's decision to trade away a player like Tyler Seguin.
Martin Jones - G - Los Angeles
A little late to the party on this one, but I could see it coming. Having seen Jones play at a young age in the Brick Novice Hockey Tournament in West Edmonton Mall, and then seeing him play Bantam hockey at the North Shore Winter Club in North Vancouver, B.C., you could tell he was going to have a bright future. A successful WHL career led him to a spot on the World Junior team in 2010 (unfortunately being scored on by John Carlson in the gold medal game). Having never had a save percentage lower than .919 in the AHL, and playing behind a very good Kings team, you could see the potential. What we couldn't have predicted is Darryl Sutter's decision to not start Ben Scrivens -- he had been sensational in the couple of weeks he's filled in for the injured Jonathan Quick -- but instead opt for Jones, who made the most of his two starts, winning both and getting his first NHL shutout in the process.
SHORT TERM FANTASY OUTLOOK: Assuming Scrivens will still get the majority of the starts until Jonathan Quick's return, it is not out of the question to see Jones share the load (especially with two back-to-backs this week for L.A.).
LONG TERM FANTASY OUTLOOK: Understandably, the long term is a little bit lower due to the fact that Quick is signed long-term in L.A. and will continue to see 60-70 games a year. But the Kings once again have a good one in Jones. Reminds me of another goalie named Jonathan they used to have. Ah yes, Mr. Bernier.
Tim Erixon - D - Columbus
Erixon, originally drafted by Calgary, traded to the Rangers, then to the Blue Jackets as part of the Rick Nash trade, was one of my favorite players leading up to the 2009 draft. A defenseman born in Sweden? Yeah, sign me up; we know how those guys turn out. Calgary obviously liked what they saw as well, using a first-round pick on the talented Swede. After a couple professional years, and a few changes of scenery, Erixon hasn't been living up to the hype in the NHL, however, he has certainly proved he can play at the American League level. With 15 points in 12 games this season, has he finally showed people what he was drafted for back in 2009? As with most Swedish defenseman, they take a little extra time to learn the North American game and adjust to the ice surface, so this could be Erixon's time to prove why he was targeted in the Rick Nash deal. With an injury to James Wisniewski, Erixon could be given an opportunity to produce.
SHORT TERM FANTASY OUTLOOK: Columbus is not a team that scores a ton of goals and with injuries to some key offensive contributors, it's tough to expect Erixon to be fantasy relevant in the short term.
LONG TERM FANTASY OUTLOOK: If he has one thing going for him, it's the fact he was born in Sweden and he plays defense (see the Sweden Olympic roster for more evidence). I predict he will figure out what it takes to be successful at the NHL level and we will be hearing his name in Columbus with Ryan Murray for years to come.
Colton Sceviour - F - Dallas
Coming off three good seasons in the American Hockey League, Sceviour is hoping to make an impression in Dallas. With only two NHL games to his credit, the 24-year-old will be looking to bring his success in the minors to the team that drafted him six years ago. They've obviously not cut ties with Sceviour, as he has proven to have some offensive upside. 29 points in 24 games so far this season in Texas means he will likely see top-nine minutes in Dallas with the big club. Unlikely to jump onto one of the hottest lines in the NHL last week with Tyler Seguin and Jamie Benn, Sceviour will have to produce with the other forwards Dallas has up front. He managed an assist in his last NHL game last season, and with time running out on his chance to make an impression, maybe this is the break Sceviour needs.
SHORT TERM FANTASY OUTLOOK: No real history of games in the NHL, with one point in two career appearances, and the sample size is just too small to predict anything big from the rookie
LONG TERM FANTASY OUTLOOK: Usually by 24 years of age, a prospect has revealed his true colors to the organization. Sceviour's chance at the big club may have come-and-Gone already, unless he impresses soon.
Ryan Strome - F - New York Islanders
This recall couldn't come soon enough for Islanders coaches, fans, players, and of course Strome. The former fifth overall pick has been lighting up the AHL, and with the Islanders struggles, he hopes the be the spark they need. Able to play center and wing, look for Strome to be given every opportunity to succeed with good players on Long Island. Maybe he can light up some of the old John Tavares to get him back on track, as well as boost Thomas Vanek back into the goal scorer we all know he can be. Strome has 33 points in 23 games in the AHL, but with no NHL experience, it isn't a sure bet he will come in and contribute right away. Young rookies usually take a bit to get used to their surroundings making the jump up to the bigs, but Strome has produced at every level so far, so we may be looking in on someone very talented.
SHORT TERM FANTASY OUTLOOK: On a struggling Islanders team, the former first-rounder will need confidence to succeed, and he might do just that.
LONG TERM FANTASY OUTLOOK: Obviously if you are in a keeper league, Strome is owned by someone, but in standard leagues where he is a free agent, he is definitely worth the grab for the short term. And, naturally, his long term value jumps if he can stay with the big club for the foreseeable future.
Kevin Pedersen is a scout for the WHL's Everett Silvertips. Follow him on Twitter @the_kped for more of his hockey musings.
