DAILY RUMORS: Lyle Looks At Spezza To Columbus Rumor
BDGallof | Jun 23, 2010 | Comments 7
We at HockeyIndependent.com want to be your resource and filter for what is going on in the NHL. We try to disseminate the noise in the blogosphere. We don’t look to to attack those sources, but to question the veracity of the rumor with cold logic, hockey smarts and knowledge. To do that… we have partnered with the one of the best in the NHL blogosphere….Lyle Richardson of SpectorsHockey.net. Daily Rumors with Lyle Richardson will now be a regular feature on HI this summer and beyond…
With the approach of the NHL Entry Draft and the start of the UFA period drawing near speculation has increased suggesting the Ottawa Senators could trade center Jason Spezza.
Hockeybuzz.com’s “Eklund” stirred up considerable buzz recently with a post of a rumored trade shipping Spezza to the Columbus Blue Jackets.
Eklund soon followed that up by quoting a source saying no deal had been made but it resulted in considerable criticism from pundits and bloggers.
In his defense, it’s not the first time in recent weeks Columbus was suggested as a possible destination for Spezza, though there were never any media reports claiming a deal was close. And as he said, he wasn’t the source of the rumor but was researching what he said he was told, though posting a headline suggesting Spezza was dealt to Columbus is bound to attract attention as well as backlash when it doesn’t pan out. .
Aaron Portzline of the Columbus Dispatch claimed in a Twitter post the Senators and Blue Jackets have never discussed such a move and it wasn’t going to happen.
Portzline didn’t expand on why but it’s not difficult to figure out.
For all the talk of how great a fit Spezza would be with all-star winger Rick Nash the Jackets cannot afford to take on his $7 million per season salary unless they cut elsewhere in the lineup, which would only weaken their depth.
I wouldn’t rule out the possibility of the Senators shipping out Spezza in the coming weeks but forget the Blue Jackets as a destination.
Lyle Richardson
SpectorsHockey.net
twitter.com/spectorshockey
Filed Under: Columbus Blue Jackets • Featured • Featured Rumors • NHL • Ottawa Senators • Rumors
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I can understand the legs that this rumor had, even if it came from questionable/false sources, just because it makes so much sense for both teams.
The Jackets desperately need a legit #1 center for Nash, and Spezza gives them that. The #4 pick and young (and potentially solid #1) center in Derick Brassard gives the Sens great building blocks as well as a legit scorer who can help them now in Huselius.
One of the reasons the rumor had such great believability is because the salary that went back to Ottawa (Huselius, 4.75 million and Brassard, 3.2 million) was enough to offset Spezza’s 7 million, at least for now.
As far as depth goes, losing Brassard wouldn’t hurt Columbus if Spezza came back the other way. Having Spezza and Vermette both locked in long term would give the Jackets strong top 2 center depth for years to come.
Losing Huselius would be fine, with two great young wing talents in Jake Voracek and Nikita Filatov on the roster.
Whether there have been discussions or not, when dealing with a contract as big as Spezza’s, there is going to be tons of rumors and speculation as it would take a tough negotiotion and a lot of work to get a deal done. If A potential deal that would include a player like Brassard or a pick as high as the #4, would also be sensitive, so if any thing did occur, so Howson/Murray would have to deny it.
I certainly would take a knowledgeable source like Portzline’s word, and yours, over anyone else’s, and tend to think a deal like this is not going to happen. But if a 27 year old superstar center is available, I don’t see how the Blue Jackets can afford not to be at least have some interest.
In a divison with Chicago, Detroit, Nashville, and the up-and-coming Blues (who just traded for Halak) the Jackets cannot afford to stand pat and just hope for prospects to pan out over the next few years.
Jeff, what may be more of an obstacle is the $4 million bonus due Spezza on July 1st.
It’s doubtful that Columbus, with their financial issues, want to take on Spezza’s hefty contract, plus that bonus.
You’re right on about that bonus, I didn’t take that into consideration.
No doubt the money is an issue for Columbus. Alhough another year of weak ticket sales and no playoffs will also be costly…
Jeff, having watched Spezza for some years here in Ottawa, I can tell you he probably won’t get the Jackets into the playoffs.
The financial issues for the Jackets also involve the lease at their arena. So it’s possible (if the reported issues can’t be resolved) this franchise could be a candidate to be moved…say, to Kansas City or even Quebec.
I don’t think the Jackets are moving any time soon, I’ve read up on the issues, but I don’t see it happening….just a lot of talk and speculation for now. There are teams worse off than them.
Ottawa fans can knock him all they want, but his points and stats don’t lie…if he’s traded we’ll see how well they do without him…
Jeff>there’s no question Jason Spezza’s a quality player, despite what his critics say.
However, is he a $7 million dollar cap hit per year center with an additional $4 million dollar bonus to be paid July 1?
That price tag may limit Bryan Murray’s options.