I think that is entirely correct. Kadri can still improve his game. Spezza is at least 4 years past his peak production year. His game is in decline and it would be crazy for the Leafs to give up Kadri and a pick for him.

Because of budget considerations Kadri plus Clarkson for Spezza does make some sense. Murray apparently thinks Clarkson has game and has just had an off year.
- spatso

KAdri (2.9mil for 1 year then RFA) for Spezza (7mil for 1 year UFA) isn't addressing the needs of this team and then handcuffs them even more from fixing the issues by adding and older similar player making like 4 mil more.

Those 4 mil NEEDS to go to addressing the issues of this team, not making sideways (at best) deals.

I can honestly see Spezza going to the Leafs.

The Leafs want to 'win now', and they need a bona fide first line center. The Sens, under "I'm poor, but really not" Melnyk are likely going to get rid of Spezza.

In my opinion, it seems like a good fit.

Toronto will likely overpay for a guy like Spezza who is also a Toronto boy.

It wouldn't surprise me at all if it actually was Kadri + prospect (or Dman) + pick for Spezza. As a Sens fan, I would actually be happy with that. I don't think any other team would give Ottawa as much for Spezza as the Leafs. While trading within the division is taboo, at the end of the day a GM has to get what he can for an asset.
- Charliebox

This makes no sense. The leafs don't need Spezza, they need defense (both dmen and forwards who can play D) and size & strength. Spezza isn't what the Leafs need and doesn;t fit their cap structure. There is zero reason for the Leafs to overpay, let alone make a trade at all for him.

This makes no sense. The leafs don't need Spezza, they need defense (both dmen and forwards who can play D) and size & strength. Spezza isn't what the Leafs need and doesn;t fit their cap structure. There is zero reason for the Leafs to overpay, let alone make a trade at all for him.
- burn

I agree. It would be a backward step for the Leafs to deal for Spezza. It has the potential of being a complete disaster for them. It is not what the Leaf roster needs. I believe these are rumors coming out of Ottawa and they have no serious foundation, they are trying to pull your chain.

I can honestly see Spezza going to the Leafs.

The Leafs want to 'win now', and they need a bona fide first line center. The Sens, under "I'm poor, but really not" Melnyk are likely going to get rid of Spezza.

In my opinion, it seems like a good fit.

Toronto will likely overpay for a guy like Spezza who is also a Toronto boy.

It wouldn't surprise me at all if it actually was Kadri + prospect (or Dman) + pick for Spezza. As a Sens fan, I would actually be happy with that. I don't think any other team would give Ottawa as much for Spezza as the Leafs. While trading within the division is taboo, at the end of the day a GM has to get what he can for an asset.
- Charliebox

Kadri for Spezza? No!
Pick for Spezza? No!!!
Kadri and Pick for Spezza? (frank). You. No.

The Leafs can not even afford Spezza with all the the people they still have to resign.

Spezza has one year left so if the Leafs want him and if he actully wants to come to Toronto then the Leafs can sign him.

I also like Stastny better anyways.

Sens fans.

Kadri for Spezza? No!
Pick for Spezza? No!!!
Kadri and Pick for Spezza? (frank). You. No.

The Leafs can not even afford Spezza with all the the people they still have to resign.

Spezza has one year left so if the Leafs want him and if he actully wants to come to Toronto then the Leafs can sign him.

I also like Stastny better anyways.

Sens fans.
- BoTtLePoLiCe

I agree.

The only exception is if Ottawa agrees to take either Phaneuf or Clarkson.

For example, Kadri plus Clarkson (or Phaneuf) for Spezza and Wiercioche). But Ottawa still wins the trade.

Jason Spezza is not the Jason Spezza of 2007. Dany Heatley is a healthy scratch playing for the Wild.
- spatso

Spezza's still a ppg player, keep in mind, there was Alfie and a younger healthier Heatley back then, which to me is like having Kessel and JVR.

Not sure what you're point is about Heatley today being a healthy scratch. It's pretty obvious why Heatley's production fell, firstly he's in his 30's now, secondly, he was never the most committed athlete, thirdly, while in his 20's there was no imediate effects, he was in a pretty horrendous car crash that even then, people knew the effects would eventually catch up with Heatley down the line.

Would I trade Kadri in a package for Spezza? likely not, but even at his worst, Spezza is still a top line ppg producing centre. Give him linemates like JVR and Kessel, and you'd definitely see a spike in his production.

Kadri for Spezza? No!
Pick for Spezza? No!!!
Kadri and Pick for Spezza? (frank). You. No.

The Leafs can not even afford Spezza with all the the people they still have to resign.

Spezza has one year left so if the Leafs want him and if he actully wants to come to Toronto then the Leafs can sign him.

I also like Stastny better anyways.

Sens fans.
- BoTtLePoLiCe

the only way the leafs trade for spezza would be for Clarkson as part of the deal

kadri and Clarkson (leafs lose a horrible contract while getting a guy with one year on his deal)

Again Spezza to the leafs ,yeah Leafs problems arent offense .Spezza if he is moved will be out west ,for prospects .People thinking he is worth a t4 dman need to have their head examined

I agree.

The only exception is if Ottawa agrees to take either Phaneuf or Clarkson.

For example, Kadri plus Clarkson (or Phaneuf) for Spezza and Wiercioche). But Ottawa still wins the trade.
- spatso

Yeah.

Quire-Crotch wouldn't be bad.

Spezza's still a ppg player, keep in mind, there was Alfie and a younger healthier Heatley back then, which to me is like having Kessel and JVR.

Not sure what you're point is about Heatley today being a healthy scratch. It's pretty obvious why Heatley's production fell, firstly he's in his 30's now, secondly, he was never the most committed athlete, thirdly, while in his 20's there was no imediate effects, he was in a pretty horrendous car crash that even then, people knew the effects would eventually catch up with Heatley down the line.

Would I trade Kadri in a package for Kadri? likely not, but even at his worst, Spezza is still a top line ppg producing centre. Give him linemates like JVR and Kessel, and you'd definitely see a spike in his production.
- mykokes

If you were disappointed by the Clarkson signing you will be devastated by your disappointment you experience when you see how badly Spezza's game has deteriorated.

Again Spezza to the leafs ,yeah Leafs problems arent offense .Spezza if he is moved will be out west ,for prospects .People thinking he is worth a t4 dman need to have their head examined
- top shelf 15

Neither Spezza or Phaneuf are as bad as people seem to think they are. And again while I wouldn't do the deal, Spezza is a better center than Kadri, i.e. even at his worst, Spezza was 14th among centers in points. Stick him with kessel and JVR and you just might see two Leafs in the top 10 in the league for scoring. We talk often about Kessel's goals scoring, Heatley was a 3 time 50 goal scorer playing with Spezza.

Again, I don't want him, but Leaf fans really need to stop trying to say he sucks or he's worthless.

If you were disappointed by the Clarkson signing you will be devastated by your disappointment you experience when you see how badly Spezza's game has deteriorated.
- spatso

Spezza needs a strong team surrounding him at this stage ,sadly neither the leafs or the sens are this type of team .

Neither Spezza or Phaneuf are as bad as people seem to think they are. And again while I wouldn't do the deal, Spezza is a better center than Kadri, i.e. even at his worst, Spezza was 14th among centers in points. Stick him with kessel and JVR and you just might see two Leafs in the top 10 in the league for scoring. We talk often about Kessel's goals scoring, Heatley was a 3 time 50 goal scorer playing with Spezza.

Again, I don't want him, but Leaf fans really need to stop trying to say he sucks or he's worthless.
- mykokes

Both are good phaneuf is far better though,Spezza needs a deep team to insulate his defensive issues.He would make a good second line center for a team like the kings or ducks

two things I find hilarious about these comments .....

1) how much the Leaf fans over-rate Kadri
2) the fact that people think that Ottawa needs, or would want a player like him...


he is the epitome of what ails the Sens and the Leafs ..... all offense, no defense, self-centered play

thanks but no thanks

If you were disappointed by the Clarkson signing you will be devastated by your disappointment you experience when you see how badly Spezza's game has deteriorated.
- spatso

Has his game deteriorated, or is Ottawa in general just not very good? So Spezza's game has deteriorated so badly that he still manages to finish 14th among centers in points? He sure didn't hurt Hemsky's production over the final 20 games of the season....you know, another guy who's game had deteriorated.

Neither Spezza or Phaneuf are as bad as people seem to think they are. And again while I wouldn't do the deal, Spezza is a better center than Kadri, i.e. even at his worst, Spezza was 14th among centers in points. Stick him with kessel and JVR and you just might see two Leafs in the top 10 in the league for scoring. We talk often about Kessel's goals scoring, Heatley was a 3 time 50 goal scorer playing with Spezza.

Again, I don't want him, but Leaf fans really need to stop trying to say he sucks or he's worthless.
- mykokes

You know something is amiss when Ottawa is pumping Spezza. 60% of Senator fans do not want him back.

If you were disappointed by the Clarkson signing you will be devastated by your disappointment you experience when you see how badly Spezza's game has deteriorated.
- spatso

I don't know. Spezza when given a half decent winger is pretty good still.

He's slowing down, and he is injury prone, but he has played the last few seasons with a 2nd line winger (Michalek) and a total garbage hockey player (Greening). Spezza made Greening look like a champ two seasons ago and singlehandedly got him a big contract. Spezza was 4th in league scoring two seasons ago with those two.

To start this year, Spezza was playing with Michalek (who's knees are done and can barely skate) and a revolving door of bottom 6 talent.

As soon as Hemsky came to town (a 2nd line winger.. wouldn't call him a 1st liner), Spezza was over a point per game and was close to even in the +/-.

Spezza, given the right wingers (which he hasn't had in Ottawa since Heatley left) could still do some serious damage in this league.

Has his game deteriorated, or is Ottawa in general just not very good? So Spezza's game has deteriorated so badly that he still manages to finish 14th among centers in points? He sure didn't hurt Hemsky's production over the final 20 games of the season....you know, another guy who's game had deteriorated.
- mykokes

Without Spezza in the lineup they make the playoffs year before. With Spezza in line up they miss this year.

two things I find hilarious about these comments .....

1) how much the Leaf fans over-rate Kadri
2) the fact that people think that Ottawa needs, or would want a player like him...


he is the epitome of what ails the Sens and the Leafs ..... all offense, no defense, self-centered play

thanks but no thanks
- GadesnSens

How so??

You know something is amiss when Ottawa is pumping Spezza. 60% of Senator fans do not want him back.
- spatso

I would want him back if he had say 3 years left on his deal ,but the fact he is due an extension next season .We are not the team to give him one ,we are a few years away from making real headway

Without Spezza in the lineup they make the playoffs year before. With Spezza in line up they miss this year.
- spatso

Yeah, Anderson, Lehner and Bishops unreal save % that season, compared to the terrible goaltending the Sens got this season had nothing to do with it.

Yeah, Anderson, Lehner and Bishops unreal save % that season, compared to the terrible goaltending the Sens got this season had nothing to do with it.
- Charliebox

Kids got worked esp.on defense

two things I find hilarious about these comments .....

1) how much the Leaf fans over-rate Kadri
2) the fact that people think that Ottawa needs, or would want a player like him...


he is the epitome of what ails the Sens and the Leafs ..... all offense, no defense, self-centered play

thanks but no thanks
- GadesnSens

At 23 he still has time to fix that. Right now, he's worth more than what Turris was worth when you traded for him. I see Kadri in the Derek Stepan class of player imo, there's still upside there, but whether he can round out and not lose his offensive strength will determine where he will slot in down the line. I also do think it would take Kadri and something to get Spezza, but if I were the Leafs gm, I wouldn't make that trade. That's not me overvaluing Kadri, that's just me feeling there's more untapped potential that if we're just patient we'll be rewarded.

You know something is amiss when Ottawa is pumping Spezza. 60% of Senator fans do not want him back.
- spatso

The reason is because Sens fans know we are rebuilding.

What's the point in keeping him around when they won't be a contender for 4-5 more years?

If the Sens were a top 8 NHL team, no one would be talking about shipping off Spezza (except those who have hated him since the beginning of his career).

Do the Leafs still see themselves as rebuilding, or do they think they can compete now? That's the question.

I'm with the Ott fans on this one.... you guys are overrating Kadri and underrating Spezza


Depends on what the "more" is, in the trade. 1 for 1... you HAVE to do it. And laugh your way to the bank.