Most of the discussion that's followed around the Jason Spezza saga in the last few months has been about a player and organization who are mutually unhappy, and the inevitable trade this summer to the team that can pony up the best player/pick/prospect combination before the draft.

Though the details have sort of been vague on the matter, the majority of credible hockey sources have pinned this story down as one where both parties will be happy when this situation is finally resolved. Happy defined as Jason Spezza traded to another hockey team (probably one in the West), and Ottawa getting returns to build for the future.

Brad May of Sportsnet's comments on the situation are interesting, though. Not because I value his word on it, but because it breaks rank a bit from the stuff we have seen repeated just about everywhere else. Initially, I was skeptical the take was true, but Brad May doubled down on it tonight.

The firsl take, as transcribed by a poster at HFBoards, went something along the lines of this:

Brad May on Sportsnet said Spezza never asked to be traded... He wanted a commitment from ownership to spend the necessary money to win... If they can't do that he would like to go somewhere that wants to win

When pressed on his comments, he added the following:

@BringBackLee questions? I stand by what I said and that is, Spezza wants a commitment from Ottawa or wants to move on to have a chance

— Brad May (@maydayhockey) June 14, 2014

Do I believe it? I'm not sure. I like to think I'm someone who evaluates topics independently, and I think there's definitely merit to a broken relationship between head coach Paul MacLean and player Jason Spezza here. Ottawa's money issues are as obvious as the day is long, but I've never thought it applied here. Ottawa's position on Spezza is wholly defensible, and Spezza wanting out is just as fair. I'll give Brad May the benefit of the doubt here and assume he's heard something strong on the matter -- and even still, I think 'irreparable player/coach relationship; manager not wanting to offer a poison contract' is the most likely explanation.

For what it's worth, at least one other person is corroborating this story.

Nevertheless, we now have a second theory: Jason Spezza doesn't think Ottawa's putting their best foot forward in the win department (because of massive financial restraints), and so he wants to go somewhere else.

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