Spezza's Maturing

Mojo wrote:
Since bonus awards can't be awarded until the end of the season, normally that money and cap space is factored in then. But, since there was the potential for a retooling of the bargaining agreement after this year, all bonus awards had to be factored into the cap before the season started. Since it is unlikely that they will change the agreement, this won't happen next year. If you haven't seen anything indicating otherwise, I would assume that the rookie contracts are the same as they have been since the lockout.

Wasn't Crosby, Malkin and Ovechkin all making 8 million last year (against the cap)? I'll confess to not understanding what the heck is going on. Lee making 1.3 is baffling.

Take this for what it's worth (and going back to the original topic of this post) but here is reference to Spezza's worth.

http://www.thehockeynews.com/articles/22113-Fantasy-Mailbag-Lightning-in-a-bottle.html

"Take the Spezza deal. I still believe his upside in the NHL is higher than anyone else in the league, save for the three players currently atop the scoring race. Spezza will pay off for you next year."

The fact that it is actually answering a fantasy question is irrelevant.

Spezza is a keeper. The only possible reason I would ever trade him is due to the money tied up between our four big money forwards.

As for his play, it's only getting better. He was the only contributor yesterday against the Sabres. He's trying to make it happen. He's putting in 2 way effort beyond anything he's done in previous seasons. He doesn't have dmen getting him the puck. His linemates haven't been red hot.

In other words he's producing the most consistent, 2 way effort I've ever seen from him despite our teams terrible performance this season. If that's not enough to keep him around what is?

The thing that still bugs me is that the cap keeps fluctuating. If we knew how much it was gonna level off at, we'd know how much money we have and what % of that $$ is on the top 4 forwards.

504Heater wrote:

Mojo wrote:
Since bonus awards can't be awarded until the end of the season, normally that money and cap space is factored in then. But, since there was the potential for a retooling of the bargaining agreement after this year, all bonus awards had to be factored into the cap before the season started. Since it is unlikely that they will change the agreement, this won't happen next year. If you haven't seen anything indicating otherwise, I would assume that the rookie contracts are the same as they have been since the lockout.

Wasn't Crosby, Malkin and Ovechkin all making 8 million last year (against the cap)? I'll confess to not understanding what the heck is going on. Lee making 1.3 is baffling.

Paying him 1.3 would be baffling, but his salary cap hit is really only 850,000 (or 875,000 - I can't remember) and the rest of the total cap hit is for his performance bonuses and w/e. To the best of my understanding, when those bonuses are no longer attainable, that cap space is given back to us and possibly added in full; giving us a greately improved cap situation - not like it matters anymore...

cash wrote:Paying him 1.3 would be baffling, but his salary cap hit is really only 850,000 (or 875,000 - I can't remember) and the rest of the total cap hit is for his performance bonuses and w/e. To the best of my understanding, when those bonuses are no longer attainable, that cap space is given back to us and possibly added in full; giving us a greately improved cap situation - not like it matters anymore...

Really? That's good for next year though as well.

beerandsens wrote:Spezza is a keeper. The only possible reason I would ever trade him is due to the money tied up between our four big money forwards.

As for his play, it's only getting better. He was the only contributor yesterday against the Sabres. He's trying to make it happen. He's putting in 2 way effort beyond anything he's done in previous seasons. He doesn't have dmen getting him the puck. His linemates haven't been red hot.

In other words he's producing the most consistent, 2 way effort I've ever seen from him despite our teams terrible performance this season. If that's not enough to keep him around what is?

good post - co-sign. At the start of December, I was all over trading him, but I wouldn't consider it anymore.

Yeah it is. It makes all the rookies that much less expensive. And next year, we'll have at least 6 rookie contracts on this team...

I disagree with basically all of this, but if you want to keep Spezza in Ottawa, then Heatley has to go. If that happens, then you can work with Spezza, if not, the economics make zero sense and the Sens are up the creek for a long time.

Its not that complicated. One of the 7 million dollar salaries has to go!

Also, its going to take way more then just 5 games to turn it around. There has been 19 of the 38 he has been invisable. Is it 7 mil a year for 41 games? or 82?

Spezza has a long, long, way to go before he is even considered elite or anywhere near it. He isnt even an all star at this point.

Neely4Life wrote:I disagree with basically all of this, but if you want to keep Spezza in Ottawa, then Heatley has to go. If that happens, then you can work with Spezza, if not, the economics make zero sense and the Sens are up the creek for a long time.

Its not that complicated. One of the 7 million dollar salaries has to go!

Basically...I've done the math a thousand times and this is the only reason I can see him going.

It's tough with the cap at 50 to have half your $$ in 4 guys - one of whom simply doesn't produce.

Neely4Life wrote:Also, its going to take way more then just 5 games to turn it around. There has been 19 of the 38 he has been invisable. Is it 7 mil a year for 41 games? or 82?

Spezza has a long, long, way to go before he is even considered elite or anywhere near it. He isnt even an all star at this point.

Not this year, but he has what it takes to be one from here on out IMO. But again, this guy seems to bring it from time to time and give us all a glimmer. Let's hope he's starting to see the light (I think he is personally).

Bringing in Stevie Y would be the move that ensures Spezza's staying IMO.

504Heater wrote:

Neely4Life wrote:I disagree with basically all of this, but if you want to keep Spezza in Ottawa, then Heatley has to go. If that happens, then you can work with Spezza, if not, the economics make zero sense and the Sens are up the creek for a long time.

Its not that complicated. One of the 7 million dollar salaries has to go!

Basically...I've done the math a thousand times and this is the only reason I can see him going.

It's tough with the cap at 50 to have half your $$ in 4 guys - one of whom simply doesn't produce.

\

Ive said that for a very long time, but people think its bashing. They get rid of Heatley, then sure, work with him, but time is short, money is scarce, and Spezza hasnt improved over the last 3 years, like it or not. His comments and general attitude are also a huge concern.

If Heatley goes, then w/e, we will see what happens I guess.

504Heater wrote:

Neely4Life wrote:Also, its going to take way more then just 5 games to turn it around. There has been 19 of the 38 he has been invisable. Is it 7 mil a year for 41 games? or 82?

Spezza has a long, long, way to go before he is even considered elite or anywhere near it. He isnt even an all star at this point.

Not this year, but he has what it takes to be one from here on out IMO. But again, this guy seems to bring it from time to time and give us all a glimmer. Let's hope he's starting to see the light (I think he is personally).

Bringing in Stevie Y would be the move that ensures Spezza's staying IMO.

]

Did you not see his comments in the sun from Tuesday? It was scary how far away the guy is from turly understanding what it takes to win.

504Heater wrote:Not this year, but he has what it takes to be one from here on out IMO. But again, this guy seems to bring it from time to time and give us all a glimmer. Let's hope he's starting to see the light (I think he is personally).

Bringing in Stevie Y would be the move that ensures Spezza's staying IMO.

I don't see glimmer, I see a player who is showing other GMs that he can put up points at will.

The team's future success is at stake here and waiting for Spezza to come around is too much of a gamble I'm afraid.

Chara walked, Redden walked Spezza could be the last movable chip we have to move in a looooong time. Time to cash in.

SeawaySensFan wrote:

504Heater wrote:Not this year, but he has what it takes to be one from here on out IMO. But again, this guy seems to bring it from time to time and give us all a glimmer. Let's hope he's starting to see the light (I think he is personally).

Bringing in Stevie Y would be the move that ensures Spezza's staying IMO.

I don't see glimmer, I see a player who is showing other GMs that he can put up points at will.

The team's future success is at stake here and waiting for Spezza to come around is too much of a gamble I'm afraid.

Chara walked, Redden walked Spezza could be the last movable chip we have to move in a looooong time. Time to cash in.

Well, you better cash in with a player guaranteed to be better than Spezza. That is easier said than done from our weak position this year.

beerandsens wrote:Well, you better cash in with a player guaranteed to be better than Spezza. That is easier said than done from our weak position this year.

Such guarantees never have and never will be part of any deal.

Sooner or later, teams will be asking us for our players. Not the other way around. Then the so-called weak bargaining position goes out the window.

SeawaySensFan wrote:

504Heater wrote:Not this year, but he has what it takes to be one from here on out IMO. But again, this guy seems to bring it from time to time and give us all a glimmer. Let's hope he's starting to see the light (I think he is personally).

Bringing in Stevie Y would be the move that ensures Spezza's staying IMO.

I don't see glimmer, I see a player who is showing other GMs that he can put up points at will.

The team's future success is at stake here and waiting for Spezza to come around is too much of a gamble I'm afraid.

Chara walked, Redden walked Spezza could be the last movable chip we have to move in a looooong time. Time to cash in.

Yup, its not like if we dont get rid of a huge contract the Sens will only hurt for 2, or 3 years possibly. This could literally turn into a decade of losing if the rebuild is put off for 3, 4, maybe 5 years. Add more time onto that for the actual rebuild as well.

So basically we could jsut waste Spezza's prime, waste Heatley's, waste the last years of Alfi's career and just go no where...

Again, you dont need to get rid of Spezza if you can get rid of Heatley, but one of the two have to go. If you;re a Spezza lover, better hope Heatley waives his NTC.