OFFSEASON TALK: Forwards!

SpezDispenser wrote:We'll see, I have faith we'll be in the running for a Cup in 3 years.

N4L wrote:That's fine, just dont say things like "Spezza took The Sens to The Cup Finals" because Alfi carried that team on his back and in The Finals.

N4L wrote:Hey, if you wanna talk about Spezza like that you better start pumping Heatley's tires too.

Alfi carried both those guys asses in that cup run and for the next two years after it.

N4L wrote:Hey, if you wanna talk about Spezza like that you better start pumping Heatley's tires too.

Alfi carried both those guys asses in that cup run and for the next two years after it.

N4L wrote:Point was you dont need an all offensive center to be successful and that's all Spezza is. The guy isnt progressing and hasnt for a while. If what I heard about the guy the and how the team feels about him is true, then he's gone.

N4L wrote:That's pretty much it right there, haha. You see the things he does with the puck and ya, it's amazing sometimes but people tend to forget there are 22 other players that actually have to follow his lead and be able to depend on him.

People say he's a number 1 center, fine, I dont disagree entirely. With that said, a number 1 center has to be dependable, reliable, hard working, unselfish, and a good two way player. Spezza might be one or two of those things, but that's it.

asq2 wrote:

N4L wrote:Point was you dont need an all offensive center to be successful and that's all Spezza is. The guy isnt progressing and hasnt for a while. If what I heard about the guy the and how the team feels about him is true, then he's gone.

N4L wrote:That's pretty much it right there, haha. You see the things he does with the puck and ya, it's amazing sometimes but people tend to forget there are 22 other players that actually have to follow his lead and be able to depend on him.

People say he's a number 1 center, fine, I dont disagree entirely. With that said, a number 1 center has to be dependable, reliable, hard working, unselfish, and a good two way player. Spezza might be one or two of those things, but that's it.

I think this second comment here is one of your better takes on the Spezza situation, and I definitely agree with it.

That said, you're listing a few qualities that could be said equally of Mike Fisher or even Jarkko Ruutu. Neither is a #1 centreman. Toews for sure is an awesomely complete player, but he also has 20 points in 12 games in the playoffs. The Habs admittedly don't have a true #1 guy, but, as is the case in pretty much every situation where a team without a #1C has success, they have a goalie playing absolutely out-of-his-mind.

Get me a Jonathan Toews or even a Mikko Koivu and I'd drive Spezza to Chicago or Minnesota. But that's not going to happen and I still believe that having Spezza's offensive talent is better than not having anything at all.

I think part of the problem is the draft this season is pretty light on top-of-the-line centres. Seguin is someone I'd feel comfortable replacing Spezza with, but there's no chance of us acquiring him. Johansen is a long-term project and similar to Spezza (but less highly-touted/regarded as a prospect). Skinner and Granlund are small guys who may very well end up playing wing. Last draft, on the other hand, you had Tavares, Duchene, Kane, and even Schenn and Kadri (to a lesser extent).

N4L wrote:You realize The Sens 2nd line out produced the first line right? That's a BS arguement in Ottawa because it has nothing to do wiht Spezza's effort level or the way he plays the game. He has absolutely disapeared in the last 3 series Ottawa has been in and his efforts were anything but great.

You say surround him with tallent... he's been surrounded by tallent his entire frigging career. Also, him making 7 million dollars kinf of hampers their ability to go out and get a big time winger, you do that or you just totally ignore what actually wins you games, goaltending and defense.

I love how people think dealing Spezza would mean a total rebuild, no, that's wrong. It indicates a change in direction. Dealing Alfi would signal a rebuild, dealing Phillips would signal a rebuild, not Spezza. Just because you deal that guy doesnt mean The Sens are a lotto team. Do people truly believe having Spezza for basically 1/3 of the season is the difference between 2nd last and 5th place? Hope not because that is false in big way.

If the best thing you can say about your number 1 center making 7 million a year is "well, he's ok" or "it's not all his fault" then you're screwed. Never once have I ever said to myself "thank God we have Spezza because there is no way we are anywgere without him" or "he's really put this team on his back".

I still find it amazing how many people hold out hope for the guy when he's actually given them no reason at all too. The guy is all talk and all flash, no substance at all and if they move forward with Spezza they better be damned sure he can be a leader, a guy that can be trusted on and off the ice, and earn his money. So far he hasnt been any of that.

The Spezza excuses need to stop, he's been in The NHL for almost a decade and hasnt turned into what he should have by now and at his age now, it's debatable whether or not he can even improve his game. Can't teach an old dog new trips, defently cant teach a dumb one.

TeamRenzo wrote:Spezza has done a lot more in the playoffs then Yashin ever did, ask Alfie who he prefers.

Honest questions who would you trade Spezza for, not fantasy GM.