Totally agree, not to mention that this kind of a trade would slow down our development by like 2-5 years.
Anyone who thinks we should trade Spezza is **** and ****** with a double order of *******.
Knee jerk reaction perhaps?
I'll be honest prior to this season this is the exact reaction I had but I have thought about it.... A lot. I love Spezza, I think his natural skill set is top 5 in the NHL, he brings me out of my seat every game he plays. Lets face it part of the price of admission I justify is to see number 19.
While those stats are very, very impressive, a year from now when he enters the final year of his contract what is relevant is the next 5 years in comparison to whatever his salary demands are.
The more I think about it the more I have started to consider it. The bolded point was also brought up by a friend of mine and it really made me consider if its the best option. What if his back goes out and this is chronic for the next 5 years? What if its no good? Maybe he doesn't have the proper work ethic to maintain a big body like his at a high level. Maybe it really starts to deplete? This is the exact age where the average persons body really starts to change. You are no long invincible because of your youth, simple injuries or discomfort lasts longer. You have to eat better, sleep more and have more of a set routine to operate at the previous level etc. (I am partially speaking about my own experience I am born in 83 too)
This is where asset management starts to come in, the Ottawa Senators know the player better then anyone. His character, his path to which has got him here so I will trust them to make the right decision. However if there are doubts this is the time to consider moving him.
After watching this years Stanley Cup playoffs I have come to the conclusion that while this Senators team is fast, exciting, youthfull and very competitive they are more then a few pieces away from winning the cup. First of all Alfie is still the best forward on the team (when Spezza's injured) and he probably has maximum one year left. Ottawa is not beating Boston or Pittsburgh next season unless there is some sort of astronomical amount of injuries to both those teams and the Sens stay unscathed. On top of having an injury miracle they need to add a major piece to the forward and the D core.
Based on this fact I just don't think this is the time to go for it. With the amount of high end talent that is under 24 years old I think that they should be aiming for a minimum 2 full seasons of development. That's when they really go for it.
That being said, will Spezza in two to three years still be playing at this level? Will he be worth the financial commitment? Sens management knows best, I think it would be silly not to even consider the concept. The concept that long term for this organization that trading him know while his value is very high might be the best move in managing assets. Hence the trade proposal I put on the main board which was absolutely ripped to shreds by both groups of fans haha.
I maybe completely wrong here, I just think there are signs that suggest moving him now maybe better in the long run.
I also don't believe in the premise this will breed losing, this team can compete without him. The majority of the core is going to be a year older and developed next season, plus the assets they retain for Spezza will help too. Lets face it they will probably get a top 6 forward and a top 3 d man for him. I don't think trading him for picks and prospects is the way to go, established young players that have room to grow is what he should be traded for.
