Spezza signs with the Leafs [1 year, $700k AAV]

[cabber24]

Lines when healthy, assuming no trades:

Hyman-Tavares-Marner
Johnsson-Matthews-Nylander
Mikheyev-Kadri-Kapanen
Moore-Shore-Spezza

With Hyman down everyone on the left moves up a spot and Petan/Agostino sub in.

If Spezza plays C then Moore could move over to the right side where he played parts of last season and Shore/Petan/Agostino play on the left.

Not sure how Spezza fits on PP2, heard him mention they want him on PP?

I am wondering if he?s learned how talk out of the front of his face yet or does he still talk out the side of his face? I agree with the ewww feeling but I can get over it. I certainly appreciate the minimum cap hit.

 

[Guilt Trip]

Lines when healthy, assuming no trades:

Hyman-Tavares-Marner
Johnsson-Matthews-Nylander
Mikheyev-Kadri-Kapanen
Moore-Shore-Spezza

With Hyman down everyone on the left moves up a spot and Petan/Agostino sub in.

If Spezza plays C then Moore could move over to the right side where he played parts of last season and Shore/Petan/Agostino play on the left.

Not sure how Spezza fits on PP2, heard him mention they want him on PP?

I am wondering if he?s learned how talk out of the front of his face yet or does he still talk out the side of his face? I agree with the ewww feeling but I can get over it. I certainly appreciate the minimum cap hit.

He'll be Marner on PP 2. Half wall.

 

[hockeyfan1]

Hate this signing. Not a big Spezza fan as we had him here in Belleville for a while and I wonder where his head will be at in Toronto. He clearly didn't want to be in Belleville and he put in ZERO effort when he was here. Great for Spezza but not so good if he isn't into it. Waste of money $$$

You're referring to 18 years ago? I wouldn't worry too much about his perceived level of effort then as an indicator of how he'll play in Toronto now. Bigger concern is just how much does he have left in the tank, but at league min, no real risk here.

I remember seeing young Spezza in a game at the Hershey Centre back in ??99 when he was with the Mississauga Ice Dogs. 

In that game, he kept getting breakaways and impressed with his style of play, skating, and general skills.  Thought at the time that he?d have a steady career in the NHL being an asset to whoever he goes to.
Not a bad career indeed.

While he?s got some hockey left now at his age, he?ll help the Leafs fill out a spot with his experience.  Not expecting anything spectacular this time around LOL. 

 

[Highlander]

Hate this signing. Not a big Spezza fan as we had him here in Belleville for a while and I wonder where his head will be at in Toronto. He clearly didn't want to be in Belleville and he put in ZERO effort when he was here. Great for Spezza but not so good if he isn't into it. Waste of money $$$

You're referring to 18 years ago? I wouldn't worry too much about his perceived level of effort then as an indicator of how he'll play in Toronto now. Bigger concern is just how much does he have left in the tank, but at league min, no real risk here.

I remember seeing young Spezza in a game at the Hershey Centre back in ??99 when he was with the Mississauga Ice Dogs. 

In that game, he kept getting breakaways and impressed with his style of play, skating, and general skills.  Thought at the time that he?d have a steady career in the NHL being an asset to whoever he goes to.
Not a bad career indeed.

While he?s got some hockey left now at his age, he?ll help the Leafs fill out a spot with his experience.  Not expecting anything spectacular this time around LOL.

And he's not signed for 3 years at 6.5 a year...thanks Lou!

 

[disco]

Great pickup at nil cost. Man I grew up on Alfredsson/Heatley/Spezza terrorizing. It's like seeing Lindros in the blue and white that one year.

 

[CarltonTheBear]

https://mapleleafshotstove.com/2019/07/04/jason-spezza-talks-joining-toronto-maple-leafs/

Good interview with Spezza. He seems to have really embraced the mentorship/bottom-6 role that he ended up in with Dallas and is ready to bring that here.

 

[Bullfrog]

I've always been a fan of Spezza. I'm really happy he's here. He seems to clearly understand his role and made it clear that money was not a concern of his.

 

[cujo4ever]

I've always hated Spezza (and Alfredsson et al), but I can't really complain about the contract. Hopefully he can be a useful piece in the bottom six. His faceoff numbers are certainly still quite good.

 

[Guilt Trip]

I'm betting the happiest guy in the world is Spezza's dad. He's always wanted him to play for the Leafs. Spezza says his 700K salary will be useful in paying for tickets lol. Good cheap signing.

 

[freer]

We need some sort of veteran presence. He fills that hole, and a heck of lot cheaper then Marleau. I am looking forward to watching in a leafs uni.