- Wayne Scanlan of the Ottawa Citizen: Senators GM Bryan Murray on Jason Spezza.
“The only explanation I have is that he would like to try something different,” Murray said of Spezza, in the GM’s final media appearance prior to the June 27-28 entry draft.
“He thinks that the fingers are pointed at him quite often in Ottawa. Winning or losing, he gets credit or gets blamed. I think he feels it’s time to do something else.”
Murray admits there have been inquiries from a couple of teams, but there is still the chance they don’t trade him.
“I think we try to get the best return we can,” Murray says. “If it’s not satisfactory, we can’t do it. And he has a year left on his contract.”
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Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun: Senators GM Bryan Murray won’t trade Jason Spezza until he gets the right deal.
“I have to be somewhat satisfied and I don’t think when you trade a player of Jason’s calibre that you ever win. I know that,” said Murray. “I think we try to get the best return we can and if it’s not satisfactory we can’t do it. He has a year left on his contract.
“Anytime you feel you have to make a trade, or you want to make a trade, the earlier the better but … but … but you may not get the same value in return so I’m not going to rush into it just for the sake of rushing into it and get it out of the way. I’m trying to go with what I think the value is for Jason Spezza.”
Both the Blues and Ducks have asked permission to speak with Spezza, but Murray said that a deal needs to be in place first. The Lightning are believed to have some interest. The Predators have called the Senators about Spezza, but they are on his no-trade list. Murray could go to Spezza to see if he’d alter his list.
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Hope Smoke: Nick Kypreos: “I hear a dark horse for Spezza may be Tampa Bay” … “Experience down the middle. There are few teams that can’t use it & he’s attractive on a short term.” … “There seems to be a good relationship between Yzerman and Spezza” … “Maybe Yzerman looks at Spezza & sees a bit of himself? Very talented guy who can score points but unable to get over the hump” … “People tell me that there seems to be something there between Spezza and TB”
- Joe Smith: The Lightning’s interest level in Jason Spezza remains to be seen. The Lightning are not on his no-trade list.
- Hope Smoke: Nick Kypreos: “Stl needs another big body presence and Spezza adds that”
- Hope Smoke: Doug MacLean: “Listen Ottawa need something back desperately in return here” … “You have a tough scenario developing in Ott with Spezza moving out and Ryan going into his UFA year”
- Hope Smoke: “If Spezza goes to TB, Ana, Stl. Slides in as a 2, plays with good players & doesn’t face top D he could have a heck of a year”
- Chris Nichols: Elliotte Friedman said on Team 1040 that the Stars are “stealth like” in their pursuit of Jason Spezza. Blues and Ducks are still heavily mentioned.