East Notes: Spooner, Flyers Goaltending, Nielsen

While it’s obviously far too early for the Rangers and recently-acquired center Ryan Spooner to really discuss a new contract, the 26-year-old is already making his preference known.  Speaking with Brett Cyrgalis of the New York Post, Spooner indicated that he would like to avoid the process he went through last summer with Boston.  Back then, the two sides got to the brink of an arbitration hearing before settling on his current one-year, $2.825MM contract that will also represent his qualifying offer this summer.  New York will be quite busy this offseason with their list of arbitration-eligible free agents, one that also includes forwards Vladislav Namestnikov and Kevin Hayes as well as defenseman Brady Skjei, among others.

Elsewhere in the East:

• The Flyers are getting closer to getting at least part of their regular goalie tandem back in the fold. Sam Carchidi of the Philadelphia Inquirer and Daily News notes that Michal Neuvirth (lower body injury) has been skating recently; GM Ron Hextall acknowledged that he’s a little ahead of schedule in his recovery.  Meanwhile, starter Brian Elliott (abdominal injury) is expected to resume skating in the coming days as well.  Petr Mrazek was acquired in advance of the trade deadline to provide some stability in their absences but he has posted a save percentage of just .899 in eight starts so far.
• Red Wings center Frans Nielsen returned to practice today for the first time as he continues to progress through concussion protocol, notes Ted Kulfan of The Detroit News. His injury was sustained back on Tuesday against Boston.  Head coach Jeff Blashill ruled out a potential Monday return but is hopeful that the 33-year-old will be able to return to action at some point in their four-game Western road trip that runs through next Sunday.