Senators Sign Spezza to Extension

[Thrillhouse]

OTTAWA – Ottawa Senators general manager Bryan Murray today announced the club has re-signed centre Jason Spezza to a seven-year deal.

“Jason Spezza is a great example of what the future holds for the Ottawa Senators and our fans,” said owner Eugene Melnyk. “Without question, Jason belongs here in Ottawa and he continues to be an integral part of our organization’s long-term plans. Over time, we have built an impressive level of on-ice talent, and Bryan Murray and our entire management team have clearly continued that effort with today’s re-signing.”

Spezza, in his fifth year with the Senators, is tied for second in team scoring with linemate Dany Heatley. The 24-year-old has one goal and 12 assists in 10 games, and Heatley has seven goals and six assists in 11 games. Their linemate, captain Daniel Alfredsson, leads the team in scoring with nine goals and as many assists in 11 games.

The Toronto native has a total of 83 goals and 183 assists in 256 regular-season games since suiting up for his first NHL game against the Boston Bruins on Oct. 24, 2002. Spezza had season career highs in assists and points in 2005-06 – 19 goals, 71 assists for 90 points – and reached the 30-goal plateau for the first time in a season with 34 goals in 67 games in 2006-07.

Spezza, drafted second overall by Ottawa in 2001, has been in the Senators’ top four in scoring in each of his last three seasons, and the NHL’s top 15 during the last two.

In playoff action, Spezza has 13 goals, 25 assists for 38 points in 36 games. He was tied for first in team scoring with linemates Alfredsson and Heatley – 22 points – during the Senators’ longest playoff run and first appearance in a Stanley Cup final last spring. The three were also tied for first in scoring in the NHL during the playoffs.

Spezza played two seasons with the club’s American Hockey League affiliate, the Binghamton Senators. In his rookie 2002-03 season he recorded 22 goals and 33 assists in 43 games with Binghamton. He also played in 2003 AHL All-Star Classic, and was named AHL rookie of the month for January and to the AHL’s 2002-03 all-rookie team.

During the 2004-05 lockout season, he was the first AHL player to reach the 100-point plateau since 2000-01 with his league-leading 32 goals and 85 assists in 80 regular-season games. His 85 assists in a single season were the most in AHL history. Spezza was named a starter at the mid-season AHL all-star game and to the season-ending AHL first all-star team. He also received the Les Cunningham Award as AHL MVP.

[Corpse]

Good move to lock him up long term and not wait till after the season to try and resign him.

[canuckfan]

Good for Ottawa to get this one out of the way - I thought they might have troubles re-signing Spezza after al that money they threw at Heatley, but it looks like they found a way.

Thats a lot of money tied up in two players, plus Alfredsson and Phillips. Is there still room for Redden?

[BrianTheAdsFan]

Ton of cash for a ton of talent.

[JKidd]

They had to do this...

Good deal, and at a price that we all knew was coming.

[Isles4life]

Smart decision to get Spezza locked up. The Sens are gonna remain competitive for quite some time, but I seriously doubt there's room for Redden in their long-term plans.

[Shasta McNasty]

Great move made by the Senators my favorite player for my favorite team for 7 more years..

[Dr Hook]

They are going to be in a world of hurt in the next couple seasons...

Heatley: 10 mil (8 mil in 09-10)
Spezza: 8 mil
Alfredsson: 5.4 mil (3.8 in 09-10)
Fisher: 6 mil (4 mil in 09-10)
Kelly: UFA
Neil: 1.2 mil (UFA in 09-10)
Vermette: RFA
Eaves: RFA
Donovan: UFA
McAmmond: 900k (UFA in 09-10)
Redden: UFA
Phillips: 3.5 mil
Corvo: 2.7 mil
Volchenkov: 2.2 mil (3.2 mil in 09-10)
Meszaros: RFA
Gerber: UFA
Emery: 3.5 (UFA in 09-10)

Perhaps their only saving grace is the fact that Redden/Gerber will walk and the front-loading of some of the bigger contracts which should offset the hit. I would still hate to be in Murray's shoes.

[suckerpunch]

That's great news....

Good to see the Sens taking care of business.

So much for Forsberg coming to Ottawa...