New Math: 2 X Jeff Finger = 1 Jason Spezza
8 Comments Published by Dany Heatley Speedwagon on Friday, July 04, 2008 at 4:46 PM.
Image courtesy of The Hockey NewsSince the Senators most recent post season exit there has been no shortage of rumours involving everyones favorite blind, behind the back passing, boy wonder. Unless you can trade Jason Anthony Rocco Spezza for a Stanley Cup Championship or a franchise cornerstone in goalie form, I'm not interested in hearing anymore trade nonsense.
For as long as the Senators have been "successful" their one achillies heel has been goaltending. With the exception of Hasek the Senators have never had an undisputed, number one, franchise goalie. The caveat to this is not too many other teams in the league can make this claim either. Only a handful of today's goalies would I consider undisputed, number ones and probably only 1 of those is worthy of the distinction "franchise goalie". You would be hard pressed to argue Martin Brodeur can't wear that label. A notch below Brodeur only Nabby, Kipper, Robbie Lu, and Turco have demonstrated the talent and ability to have long, consistent, successful careers in the leauge. (I'm still not sold on Giguire's consistency) The remainder is an assortment of average joes, journeymen, one-trick ponies, prospects and one or two individuals with a habit of pulling a rabbit out of their hat come contract time. (see: Theodore, Jose).
It would be fair to reason that the goalie is the most important position today and with the apparent short supply of proven talent you could justify trading Jason Spezza for a solid anchor in goal. Beyond that, speculation and heresay about Jason Spezza leaving for pennies on the dollar because people are getting tired of his defensive misgivings, lack of leadership, or even the fact he might not be too bright, is ludicrous.
In the past 7 years this team has seen an asortment of talent come and go for a variety of reasons. Yashin, Hossa, Hasek, Havlat, Chara, and Redden, like them or hate them, are all players who could have been considered among the leagues elite at one time or another in their careers and I am not anxious to see Spezza join that list. He is a valuable asset and unless a valuable asset is coming back in return why would there even be a debate about his future with the Senators?
I'm not ready to join the coalition of the willing who want to throw Jason Spezza under the bus. Yes, I admit Number 19 is known for having a wonky back and uncanny knack to drive fans crazy with his turnovers and horrible giveaways. However, on the flilpside he is only 25 years old and approaching the prime of his career. Even with his injury history he's managed more than a point a game for the past 3 seasons and demonstrated the ability to be a 90+ point player for years to come. In this league players like Jason Spezza do not grow on trees. While he is under contract to the Senators for the next 7 seasons at an average of $7 million per season other teams are so desperate for offence up the middle that an aging Mats Sundin, over 12 years Spezza's senior, has been offered $10 million a season. Of course, I could be wrong, and maybe trading away a franchise cornerstone centre is a good idea. Look how well trading Joe Thornton worked out for the Bruins.
Labels: jason spezza, ottawa senators
Hear hear!! The only way I'd accept that trading Spezza might be a good idea is if we were getting Luongo back, and even then I wouldn't be totally sold on it. Spezza needs more love, much less hate.
The money being thrown around this year is rediculous. Everyone seemed to have forgotten why they locked out the players.
"Hey, this Finger guy has played almost a full season in the NHL!"
"Sign him quick... 3+ millon"
listen i hate the leafs as much as the next guy (actually probably more) and sure they are making some dumb moves, but at least moves are being made....how bout murray finds us one of the following: 1. a starting goalie 2.a top 4 D 3.a top 6 forward.....instead he has got us: 1. a mediocre backup goalie 2. a smaller agitator than grats. Well done murray, well done!
ive never been a pessimist about the sens before, but this is going to be a hard season where fans' true colours are tested.
Blair, Luongo!
Al
sherry, where did you find this guy? because i like how he thinks!
def the sens should not trade spezza. his point-per-game ratio last year was ridiculous.
and my jeff finger jersey is in the mail! here's hoping he knocks the fuck out spezza at least once this season...you know, sort of like how bell did to alffy...good times, good times...
Spezza needs TOUGH love, too often does he turn over the puck, giggle at interviews etc.
He needs a ball-breaker behind the bench to turn him into a man.
Great blog by the way, bookmarked.
Spezza is not and defensive offencemen he is offencive speacialist. Over the last year he has been aware of his lack of defencive as Cherry pointed out all season stating that Spezza has began to back check more then ever befor.
This idea that he is a poor leader is a joke. He is not a break away offencemen he is a PLAYMAKER so last season when Alferdson and Heatley were out his team mates were just not talented enough to keep up with him or his style of play.
The coach/gm needs to change, you can not have 1.5 lines and expect to ride them out all year long. He continues to say he is happy with his lines but when your not winning with your 2,3,4th lines it time for a change!
That change does not mean turfing all your blue chips because your less talented players can't do their jobs. Come on there is more then three player on the sens.