"... As is always the case, it's tough to know in Garrioch columns whether it's coming straight from the horse's mouth, or if it's just his opinion ..."

No its not, he is The Stenographer. An opinion would require thought and analysis, easier to be told what to think.

Problem with discussion boards is one or two whining fans like Gord_Wilson_2.0 and Tuna99 who post incessantly with a glass half empty opinion can make it seem like the whole fan base thinks the Senators are a poorly run organization that has no ability to get a good return on a Spezza trade.

GW2.0 couldn't grasp the fact that the Senators would agree on a deal with another team BEFORE Spezza negotiates a contract extension is case in point.

Truly rational fans understand that the return on Spezza will be good for the Senators or they will keep him until the right deal comes along. Bryan Murray built cup contenders in Florida and Anaheim before and after the cap came into existence and they were by no means high spending teams.

Chill out and stop running around claiming the sky is falling and just enjoy the ride. If they play well next year they will be fun to watch - if they don't they get a shot at a franchise player in the 2015 draft. Win-win situation by the looks of it to me.
- PixelDoode

Poor reading comprehension. My posts about Spezza negotiating with other teams prior to a trade was a rebuttal to posts (by people who want Spezza traded) that claimed the Sens may allow Spezza to talk to other teams before being traded. I just expressed my view to why I felt that was a bad idea. You don't let Spezza or his agent talk to any other team until he is traded. Common sense.

Just saw on the Hawks thread that there's a bunch of guys there who could be had for a decent offer, and they're looking for a centre and some size.

Players in the mix: Sharp, Leddy, and Johnny Oduya.

Sign me up!

Spezza, Prince and Greening for Sharp, Leddy and their 1st (28th overall this year)???

Poor reading comprehension. My posts about Spezza negotiating with other teams prior to a trade was a rebuttal to posts (by people who want Spezza traded) that claimed the Sens may allow Spezza to talk to other teams before being traded. I just expressed my view to why I felt that was a bad idea. You don't let Spezza or his agent talk to any other team until he is traded. Common sense.
- Gord_Wilson_2.0

While I don't agree with your opinion (respectfully) that it would be bad to let other teams speak to spezza, that post about you was pretty harsh.

Putting you in the same sentence as tuna is beyond ridiculous

Poor reading comprehension. My posts about Spezza negotiating with other teams prior to a trade was a rebuttal to posts (by people who want Spezza traded) that claimed the Sens may allow Spezza to talk to other teams before being traded. I just expressed my view to why I felt that was a bad idea. You don't let Spezza or his agent talk to any other team until he is traded. Common sense.
- Gord_Wilson_2.0

I think the Sens would allow Spezza to speak with a team that a deal has basically been brokered with before hand. A package with Spezza signed and a package unsigned would likely have been worked out beforehand.

Usually that's the protocol.

Just saw on the Hawks thread that there's a bunch of guys there who could be had for a decent offer, and they're looking for a centre and some size.

Players in the mix: Sharp, Leddy, and Johnny Oduya.

Sign me up!

Spezza, Prince and Greening for Sharp, Leddy and their 1st (28th overall this year)???


- ahjnkn

Cap, that is all that's in the way......

And of course Bowman hasn't lost his mind

Where's our yearly Maxim Hot 100 review Yost?

Buffalo GM Tim Murray is open for business. The Senators talked to the Sabres about Stewart, but the asking price was one of the club's top prospects -- including 2013 No. 1 pick Curtis Lazar.

This is a joke right?

This is a joke right?
- TheCalSen

Tim obviously knew he wasn't getting that (not sure there is a single player in buffalo's org I'd trade lazar for at this point, maybe girgensons), but he'd be stupid not to ask......there have been lots of GMs who've made dumber trades than that

Could a random team like the devils be in play?

Keep saying they need offense and spezz could fit right in..


Also, Larsson seems like the odd man out, considering how they have 5d men signed to 1 way and are about to sign another to a 1way

I think the Sens would allow Spezza to speak with a team that a deal has basically been brokered with before hand. A package with Spezza signed and a package unsigned would likely have been worked out beforehand.

Usually that's the protocol.
- Cup 06

Self interest is a reliable predictor of outcome. The Sens want the best return possible. Spezza wants a long term deal. And, you can be certain his agent wants the deal done this summer. Ottawa already knows what he is looking for in a multi year deal.

So, Ottawa fleshes out a deal with a specific team (eg St. Louis), they agree on the players to be included in the trade. They tell St. Louis the kind of deal Spezza will want. Ottawa authorizes St. Louis to talk to Spezza's agent. Both sides know within a few minutes if they want to do a a deal and if they can get it done.

Still think there is a chance that Ottawa will also be looking at dealing Hemsky's negotiation rights to a team that also has an interest in Spezza.

Self interest is a reliable predictor of outcome. The Sens want the best return possible. Spezza wants a long term deal. And, you can be certain his agent wants the deal done this summer. Ottawa already knows what he is looking for in a multi year deal.

So, Ottawa fleshes out a deal with a specific team (eg St. Louis), they agree on the players to be included in the trade. They tell St. Louis the kind of deal Spezza will want. Ottawa authorizes St. Louis to talk to Spezza's agent. Both sides know within a few minutes if they want to do a a deal and if they can get it done.

Still think there is a chance that Ottawa will also be looking at dealing Hemsky's negotiation rights to a team that also has an interest in Spezza.
- spatso

Hopefully Spezza's willing to give the Blues the discount he's apparently unwilling to give the Senators, because I'm not sure why the Blues will be any more excited than the Senators to give Spezza the 7 year, 8 million dollar contract he apparently will not accept less than.

Poor reading comprehension. My posts about Spezza negotiating with other teams prior to a trade was a rebuttal to posts (by people who want Spezza traded) that claimed the Sens may allow Spezza to talk to other teams before being traded. I just expressed my view to why I felt that was a bad idea. You don't let Spezza or his agent talk to any other team until he is traded. Common sense.
- Gord_Wilson_2.0

Not even worth responding to, dude.

Also, remember when we used to disagree on things? Yeah, me neither

Hopefully Spezza's willing to give the Blues the discount he's apparently unwilling to give the Senators, because I'm not sure why the Blues will be any more excited than the Senators to give Spezza the 7 year, 8 million dollar contract he apparently will not accept less than.
- Mr_Clean

Ottawa will not give him that kind of deal. I don't think the Blues will either. Not sure what is fair. Maybe, $36m over 6 years.

Ottawa will not give him that kind of deal. I don't think the Blues will either. Not sure what is fair. Maybe, $36m over 6 years.
- spatso

Of course neither the Sens nor the Blues will give him that. But according to many, the assumption is this is what he'll demand on the open market.

So will he take the discount?

Of course neither the Sens nor the Blues will give him that. But according to many, the assumption is this is what he'll demand on the open market.

So will he take the discount?
- Mr_Clean

Teams all know what is fair market value for Spezza. His agent also knows what the numbers are likely going to be. Spezza wants to get a deal done this summer, some teams might prefer to delay.

Worst option for Spezza is Ottawa not trading him and reducing his role and profile next season.

Ottawa will not give him that kind of deal. I don't think the Blues will either. Not sure what is fair. Maybe, $36m over 6 years.
- spatso

He's only 30. It won't be a retirement contract. 4-5 years, probably $6m-$7m per, depending on where he goes. He's probably still an elite player until he's 35 I figure. I suspect that an astute GM would see that.

Although there is the possibility of signing him to 7-8 years, if term matters that much, but backloading the deal now makes a lot more sense, rather than signing him to a new contract once he hits 35.

Regardless, I think the most encouraging fact about Spezza at this point is that there seems to be not only a mutual willingness for him to move on, but a mutual willingness to find the right fit for Spezza. There's no question that this trade will involve some level of discussion between Spezza's agent and the team he moves to regarding that new contract. A team like StL or NSH would probably find the trade a lot more digestible if they knew that they were getting him for 5+ seasons.

They'll find a way to get this done, some team is getting an elite #1 centre, and the Senators will be getting back a package that addresses an immediate need and sets up their future as well. It's a win-win.

Of course neither the Sens nor the Blues will give him that. But according to many, the assumption is this is what he'll demand on the open market.

So will he take the discount?
- Mr_Clean

I could see STL paying him $6m/year.

I could see STL paying him $6m/year.
- the_terror

6 million, yes. I just didn't know Spezza's going rate was 6 million a year.

I can't believe I fed the troll.
- the_terror

Prock is eminently feed-able

I can't believe I fed the troll.
- the_terror

Loops, meant to reply to this one

I can't believe I fed the troll.
- the_terror

I don't think it is wise to respond to Prock after 9:00 pm. His posts can be a little scattered as the evening wears on.

1) What is a 'pule'?
2) My team went to the SCF last year.

3) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u8GCH5qf9IY
- the_terror

Hi there! Do you think its down to the Sens, Pens, and Bruins again, for the conference?

I hope so.

Loops, meant to reply to this one
- prock

Loops?

Is this some kind of cry for help?

Loops?

Is this some kind of cry for help?
- spatso

Typing from a phone. Don't feel like pulling my laptop out. Are you trying to divert?