- Pierre LeBrun of ESPN: Senators GM Bryan Murray confirmed that Jason Spezza has asked out.
“There are a few teams that have asked me about him, what the cost is,” Murray said after the GMs meeting Wednesday. “I suggested at least we’ll have discussions. I don’t want to trade the guy, really, and I know I won’t get the value, in all likelihood that I should get for him. But I think that Jason feels maybe there’s a change that he would like to have happen, and if that’s the case we’ll try to do what we can.”
On what they might be looking for in return.
“Obviously I’d like to win a hockey game next year, so getting a player back that can play in the league, that has played in the league, would be important,” Murray said.
There hasn’t been a lot of time to talk trade with GMs at the GM meetings so far this week.
“It’s such a short time together,” he said. “You get a chance to talk to two guys, but not widespread by any means. We’re all kicking tires right now. It’ll probably be another few weeks, at least, before anything comes down that might be a worthwhile trade talking about.”
- Matt Larkin of the Hockey News: Spezza has a list of 10 teams he can’t be traded too. Five teams that could be trading partners for the Senators and Spezza.
1. Nashville Predators: the Preds have the cap space, would fit Peter Laviolette’s offensive system and he would be familiar with former teammate Mike Fisher.
2. St. Louis Blues – the Blues have some free agents to re-sign, but they still should have room to add Spezza. The Blues lack an offensive weapon and he would look real good beside Vladimir Tarasenko.
3. Anaheim Ducks – if they are able to fit Ryan Kesler in, they could also fit in Spezza. They are familiar trade partners. Spezza isn’t the two-center that Kesler is. Could Spezza handle the Western Conference playoff warfare?
4. Dallas Stars – the Stars desperately need a second line center. A trade with the Stars would need to come with a contract extension though.
5. Toronto Maple Leafs – it would be a homecoming for Spezza, but GM Bryan Murray would rather not send him to a team they have to play so often.
- Bruce Garrioch: Murray on Spezza: “change is something he’d like to have happen.”
- Bruce Garrioch: Murray said that four to five teams are interested, with two or three being serious.
- Pierre LeBrun: Murray has taken calls on Spezza, but nothing is close at this point. A trade has to help them short and long term.
- Elliotte Friedman: Murray on where they may prefer to trade Spezza: “send him somewhere we don’t have to play him every night.”
- Roger Millions: AJ Jakubec (TSN radio in Ottawa) says the Flames have no interest in Spezza.
