Ottawa Senators General Manager Brian Murray announced Thursday in an interview that Jason Spezza is frustrated in Ottawa. The 26-year-old center is tired of being the scapegoat for all of Ottawa’s problems. The Mississauga native may be being shopped around by Murray to retool his team after a disappointing season. For Spezza the move to Toronto wouldn’t take off the pressure of being the number one center in a Canadian city, but it would give him a fresh start. Something Leafs fans should take interest in.
Spezza a Proven Young Talent
Spezza is over a point-per-game player. In 464 games with the Senators Spezza has racked up 475 points and is a +73 all while playing against the best opposing lines night in and night out. While many of the points were racked up with sniper Dany Heatley on his wing, Phil Kessel could be a good replacement and allow Spezza to continue at his current point pace. While it may be a hard pill for Leaf fans to swallow, it was easily done for shut down defenseman Mike Komisarek last season and at 26 is the perfect age for Burkes rebuilding plan.
Spezza's Contract an Issue
With 5 years left at 7 million a year, it’s not the easiest contract to absorb, but the Maple Leafs do have a significant amount of salary cap room if they want it. Between Jeff Finger and Tomas Kaberle the Leafs will free up close to 8 million in cap space this off season, and the acquisition of Spezza would allow Burke to move one of his other mediocre centers to free up additional room. The 5-year term would also allow Burke to keep his young core together for several years.
Spezza’s Size and Speed an Asset
While not considered a physical center, at 6-3, 215lbs Spezza is not considered a small pivot and wouldn’t be pushed around. Burke is specifically looking for a player that can keep up with Kessel and also provide some size. Spezza fits exactly what Burke is looking for in a top line forward. His career 14.5 shooting percentage is above average and despite his stigma of never shooting the puck, it proves he can bury it when the situation calls.
What would Burke Trade Away?
It’s hard to predict what Burke would give up for Spezza, but its improbable Murray would be able to land an equal talent for a center that hasn’t quite lived up to expectations in Ottawa. A package of young players would be Murrays best hope at a replacement, and Burke would not shy away from such a deal. Players like John Mitchell, Mikhail Grabovski, and Luca Caputi, have all shown they have the tools but have yet to put it together. None are properly suited to Burke 3rd or 4th line ‘plumber’ role and with Bozak and Khadri already in the mix, they would become expendable. Defensemen Thomas Kaberle could be a center piece of the deal, something Ottawa could use and even Luke Schenn, who currently sits outside the top 4 on the depth chart could be a target for Murray who will likely need to replace Anton Volcenkov this off season
Chris Polzer - Chris has his Bachelor of Arts in History from Nipissing University and is a full time Training & Development Manager for a multi-national ...
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