Jason Spezza - Trade Discussion

sandysensfan wrote:

SpezDispenser wrote:It's happening.  We're not paying Spezza 50 million dollars to play here for the next 7 years, so it's happening.  We can't let him walk for nothing, so it's happening.  We can't risk him getting hurt and not being able to deal him at the deadline.

Etc. etc. etc.

So part of the reason that Spezza is traded is Owner finances.  Part is his health going forward.. and the team doesn't want to commit to a long term contract.  

I get the health part and agree a 6 or 7 yr contract with Spezza is risky.  

But I don't want to see this team start losing key players.. like Alfie & Spezza .. solely because of the Cussing Owner and his lack of money...

You just listed at least two reasons why Spezza might be on his way out and then suggested that he's leaving solely for one reason. That's silly. Why present two legitimate reasons if the next thing you say ignores one of them?

If Spezza isn't going to get an extension, his value is in a trade. If his health makes him a significant risk for an extension, they need to look at trade offers. None of that has anything to do with the Euge's finances. A bad deal is a bad deal, no matter how much money you have in the bank.

Spezza will get traded because the team/owner can't afford to sign him long term only to have him sit on LTIR all the time(although I think insurance covers salary in that case).

Even if the Sens were a loaded cap team I wouldn't resign him.

Hoags wrote:Spezza will get traded because the team/owner can't afford to sign him long term only to have him sit on LTIR all the time(although I think insurance covers salary in that case).

Even if the Sens were a loaded cap team I wouldn't resign him.

Is it because the team can't afford to pay him millions to rehab his back or because only an idiot would do that? I can't afford to buy a nuclear power plant, but I also wouldn't want to.

DefenceWinsChampionships wrote:No heart though. That's his downfall. He's not a team leader so you're comparing a guy who wears his heart on his sleeve (Kesler) versus a guy oozing with talent and by all means doesn't care (Spezza).

Points are one thing, but it's the intangibles that make it hard to actually value Spezza.

We're all seeing it in these playoffs. Spezza is not that kind of player that can do the things necessary to win as the guy. It's plain as day seeing Kopitar, toews, Richards, Williams etc.

Rather have a Richards type with less offense and more desire to win.

In light of the Sharks most recent choke job:

Ex Bruins GM Mike O'Connell about Thornton:


“I asked myself if Joe Thornton could lead us to the Stanley Cup, and my answer was no.

“Joe was a terrific offensive player, but we needed more than that,” said O’Connell, an assistant GM when Boston picked Thornton first overall in 1997. “Bergeron, we thought it was him. You look at the influence he’s had on Marchand and Krejci, and all the older players who watch him. He’s really something to behold, the way he approaches the game.”

Just replace Thornton with Spezza, it's still true.

Now who's our Bergeron?(Turris? .... we can hope)

That's always been the comparison and it's totally apt.  People had the view you can't win with Spezza for a long time, they should have cut bait 5 years ago but w/e, they didn't.  Thornton is made of the exact same mold but he actually is a better player than Spezza ever has been. 

Either way, teams are built either to win or to lose and the Sharks are built to lose just like the Sens were with Spezza.  Boston made the right move by ditching Thornton and it's paid off in a big way and will for years and years.  Hell they ditched 2 other PPG guys in Kessel and Seguin too but let me guess, you can't replace those guys!  Right Sandy  

Imagine a Spezza for Thornton trade.

Would never happen, no way Thornton ever waives for the Sens, lol, ever.

I want marleau. Even though he failed just as hard.

Ev wrote:Imagine a Spezza for Thornton trade.

I did imagine that. Just yesterday. I don't think it would go, but they're gonna have to chuck a grenade into that lineup, so who knows?

Sucks that SJ lost because of the players that will be available, not sure I'm interested in any. I know Boyle said at one point that he'd like to finish his career in Ottawa but he'd have to be willing to accept a drastically reduced role. Thornton is a mild improvement on Spezza at best. The Kings on the other hand, have a lot of young guys that would fit with what we're trying to build. That said, not sure you want to mess with the chemistry of a team that can muster a comeback from down 3-0 in a series. Even if they get swept next round, which they won't, I don't see them making changes.

I still say Anaheim is the team that makes a move for Spezza in the West.

NEELY wrote:That's always been the comparison and it's totally apt.  People had the view you can't win with Spezza for a long time, they should have cut bait 5 years ago but w/e, they didn't.  Thornton is made of the exact same mold but he actually is a better player than Spezza ever has been. 

Either way, teams are built either to win or to lose and the Sharks are built to lose just like the Sens were with Spezza.  Boston made the right move by ditching Thornton and it's paid off in a big way and will for years and years.  Hell they ditched 2 other PPG guys in Kessel and Seguin too but let me guess, you can't replace those guys!  Right Sandy  

Past tense? Sounds like you're guaranteeing that he moves. You should bet against SD.   

Oh, I'll take a bet up to $100 on it.

Vandelay wrote:Sucks that SJ lost because of the players that will be available, not sure I'm interested in any.  I know Boyle said at one point that he'd like to finish his career in Ottawa but he'd have to be willing to accept a drastically reduced role.  Thornton is a mild improvement on Spezza at best.  The Kings on the other hand, have a lot of young guys that would fit with what we're trying to build.  That said, not sure you want to mess with the chemistry of a team that can muster a comeback from down 3-0 in a series.  Even if they get swept next round, which they won't, I don't see them making changes.

I still say Anaheim is the team that makes a move for Spezza in the West.  

Agree there.. SJ won't go after Spezza. They need a player to get them going forward in playoff games... a tough player.. but a skilled one.. Maybe they go after Chris Stewart?

Anaheim is going to need a replacement for Selanne and possibly Koivu? So Spezza to Anaheim for Silfverberg, Noesen and a 1st round pick... LOL..

NEELY wrote:Oh, I'll take a bet up to $100 on it.

504Heater SpezDispenser TurrisTime, N4L is ready to make a bet with you.

spader wrote:

NEELY wrote:That's always been the comparison and it's totally apt.  People had the view you can't win with Spezza for a long time, they should have cut bait 5 years ago but w/e, they didn't.  Thornton is made of the exact same mold but he actually is a better player than Spezza ever has been. 

Either way, teams are built either to win or to lose and the Sharks are built to lose just like the Sens were with Spezza.  Boston made the right move by ditching Thornton and it's paid off in a big way and will for years and years.  Hell they ditched 2 other PPG guys in Kessel and Seguin too but let me guess, you can't replace those guys!  Right Sandy  

Past tense? Sounds like you're guaranteeing that he moves. You should bet against SD.   

If anything, Thornton would likely go to Toronto who is in dire need of a top-line center and have the cap space and players required to make a trade. Thornton is also from London so there's a chance he'll waive if San Jose gets the return they want. I still imagine that priority #1 in SJ is to sign Miller. I don't see Spezza going to San Jose.

Someone mentioned Boyle wanting to retire in Ottawa. Makes sense. Don't see him commanding a large salary and would probably want a two year, $6M contract or something along those lines. Boyle still averaged 21+ mins per night in San Jose as a 38 year old. It's too bad we re-signed Phillips as one or the other would have been the smart choice.

DefenceWinsChampionships wrote:

spader wrote:

NEELY wrote:That's always been the comparison and it's totally apt.  People had the view you can't win with Spezza for a long time, they should have cut bait 5 years ago but w/e, they didn't.  Thornton is made of the exact same mold but he actually is a better player than Spezza ever has been. 

Either way, teams are built either to win or to lose and the Sharks are built to lose just like the Sens were with Spezza.  Boston made the right move by ditching Thornton and it's paid off in a big way and will for years and years.  Hell they ditched 2 other PPG guys in Kessel and Seguin too but let me guess, you can't replace those guys!  Right Sandy  

Past tense? Sounds like you're guaranteeing that he moves. You should bet against SD.   

If anything, Thornton would likely go to Toronto who is in dire need of a top-line center and have the cap space and players required to make a trade. Thornton is also from London so there's a chance he'll waive if San Jose gets the return they want. I still imagine that priority #1 in SJ is to sign Miller. I don't see Spezza going to San Jose.

Someone mentioned Boyle wanting to retire in Ottawa. Makes sense. Don't see him commanding a large salary and would probably want a two year, $6M contract or something along those lines. Boyle still averaged 21+ mins per night in San Jose as a 38 year old. It's too bad we re-signed Phillips as one or the other would have been the smart choice.

I don't know about Thornton in Toronto. They definitely need a #1 centre and he fits the bill.. Toronto will have to dump salary to fit him under their cap. It will probably cost them JVR and Gardiner.. plus a pick or a prospect. It won't come cheap, but are they desperate enough to do that?

Toronto has the cap space to do it. Lots of UFA forwards and Clarkson will eventually be bought out. Phaneuf could also be traded if his new contract hasn't already kicked in.

Gardiner, Kadri, 1st for Thornton?