Do You Trade Jason Spezza?

Acrobat wrote:

asq2 wrote:I doubt Spezza would hold this team hostage with his NTC.

While it is a huge hit on the team's and GM's reputation to trade someone in the first year of their long-term contract, especially when they are supposed to be a franchise player, are you willing to bet the future of the team on a players whim? Or worse, his wife's? (Pronger comes to mind...)

I think that our experience with Redden, and Toronto's experience with Sundin should serve as warning enough.

Spezza is a rare talent, and it will hurt the team to lose that, but financially, and probably for character/chemistry reasons, one of the big contracts have to go. His is the easiest to move quickly. (Having said that, if Heatley waives, I'd vote for him going first.)

As an aside - nobody has commented on the clause that was brought up previously re: the NTC perhaps not applying to the acquiring team if it hasn't come into force prior to the trade. Anyone have more info?

davetherave wrote:If the Senators haven't dealt Spezza yet, ask yourself if it isn't because no one wants to take on his $32MM deal when there are so many questions about Jason's ability to be a 'team guy'.

The other GMs know what is said about Spezza. If he was that desirable, Bryan Murray's phone would be ringing off the hook, as it were.

Just because Spezza's one of the highest paid centers in the league doesn't mean other GMs think he's one of the best.

Bryan Murray wanted to 'lock him up'...he may get what he wished for.

SeawaySensFan wrote:

Neely4Life wrote:
"Who will replace Spezza as the number 1 center?" It doesnt matter, you can put Vermette up the middle and he will get you 50, 60 points with Heatley and Alfi, on top of that, you get a 100% effort with the ability to play in every situation.


It was close though!

Only to support your argument. I think Vermette is more like a 60-70 point guy in that role with the opening on the PP. He already scored 53 without these advantages.

SeawaySensFan wrote:Here's a lightning bolt that just came to me.

As Spezza gets closer to his NTC, I'd consider that Murray's leverage (trade value) drops as he can be squeezed against that date. I'm thinking the time to get value may be NOW!

Anyone?

Neely4Life wrote:I'll honestly be shocked if Spezza is still here come July 1. Shocked.

wprager wrote:

Neely4Life wrote:I'll honestly be shocked if Spezza is still here come July 1. Shocked.

Well, depending on how long the shock lasts, maybe I'll get a chance to catch up to you

504Heater wrote:25 years old, disgusting talent. Moving Alfie to line two and bringing in a veteran with enough skill not to hold these guys back - but with enough leadership to grab Spezza and Heatley by the throats if they're not giving it 100% every shift - could be the smartest GMing decision in recent memory.

Someone who needs to win and will kick arse if they don't perform. Mike Modano is a glaring player like that, but I doubt we're able to go near him (and I also doubt he'd be interested in coming here).

Someone like that could set this team up for a surprising run next year.

Have I mentioned before that I badly want a new D as well? :***: