Spooner, acquired in February as part of the trade that sent Rick Nash to Boston, put up 18 points (5-13-18) in 36 games in a Blueshirt. He was scratched for three of the Rangers' 19 games this season, including Thursday's game in Brooklyn.
Strome, meanwhile, was in his second season in Edmonton and his sixth in the NHL after beginning his career with the Islanders. This season he has a goal and an assist through 18 games - numbers he called "a little disappointing in the sense that I've played a lot better hockey than they show" - but in addition, he leads all Oiler forwards in shorthanded time on ice and has manned the points on Edmonton power plays.
"I think I've been playing some good hockey, doing a lot of good things," said Strome, who is a righty shot. "You can always create more chances and you always can score more, but I think I've been doing my part to help the team win here. And I think I'm just going to continue to do that and be the same person that I am, be the same player that I am and just take care of business when I get to New York. I'm looking forward to that opportunity."
After moving around the forward positions last season, his line this year has consisted mainly of Milan Lucic on the left and a rotating cast of right wings, with Strome in the middle. But with a logjam at that position on Broadway, the fact that he is an adaptable forward is a strength to Strome and was appealing to Gorton.
"One thing I've learned during my career is the versatility aspect," said Strome, who has one brother (Dylan) playing in the NHL with Arizona and another (Matthew) a draft pick of Philadelphia. "I think that's one thing I can provide, be able to play all over the lineup in some different situations. For me it's just a matter of getting in there and getting my feet wet, and at the end of the day once the puck drops, hockey is hockey. Get out there and do your thing and let business take care of itself."
"The fact that he can play center, he can play wing, he can play on the power play, he can kill penalties, he can take faceoffs - I think he brings a little bit of everything," Gorton said. "With our group right now, having somebody that can play in all areas of the game, I think he can help us.
"If you look at what he's done for Edmonton right now, he's killed a lot of penalties, he's done a good job for them. We're looking to use him in all areas and see where it takes us."
Strome was drafted by the Islanders with the No. 5 overall pick in the 2011 NHL Draft - one pick before Mika Zibanejad went to Ottawa at No. 6. After four seasons with the Isles, including a career-best 50-point season in 2014-15, he was traded to Edmonton in June 2017 for Jordan Eberle.
"When you're a top-five pick overall, there's a lot of pressure on you to perform for that, and do certain things that go along with that when you're taken that high," Gorton said. "He's been in the league almost 400 games, and I think we all know where he fits in. And I think he feels like, and we feel like, maybe there's a little bit more that he can still get to the level that we're all hoping he can get to."
It should help ease Strome's transition that he is already familiar with the New York area - Strome said his phone was buzzing constantly on Friday with messages from friends around the area looking forward to seeing him again. "There's a comfort factor for sure," Strome said.
"Edmonton was good, it's not like I didn't enjoy my time there," he added. "But at the end of the day you want to be a part of someone that wants you. You want to go to a place where they're looking forward to having you.
"I can't wait to put my best foot forward and do everything I can to make my time in New York great."
2018-19 Rangers Tickets Are on Sale Now. Click Here to Get Tickets »
